Wind Energy
At Superior Electric of Ludington we stand ready to lead the way into the next generation of power for your home or business.
Wind power is much more than the gentle breeze that causes the trees to sway or the waves to move across a lake. The power in the wind can blow a semitrailer truck off the road and flatten buildings. And it can be harnessed to be a non-polluting, never-ending source of energy to meet electric power needs around the world.
Wind power is a form of renewable energy — energy that is replenished daily by the sun. As portions of the earth are heated by the sun, air rushes to fill the low pressure areas, creating wind power. But the wind's characteristics may conceal its true power. The wind is slowed dramatically by friction as it brushes the ground and vegetation, it may not feel very windy at ground level. Yet the power in the wind may be five times greater at the height of a 40-story building (the height of the blade tip on a large, modern wind turbine) than the breeze on your face. Furthermore, the wind is accelerated by major land forms, so that entire areas of the country may be very windy while other areas are relatively calm. Since our country's founders tended to build our cities and towns where the wind doesn't blow strongly, the vast majority of people don't live in high-wind areas. Yet, when wind power is converted to electricity, it can be sent long distances to serve the needs of the cities and towns where we do live.
Small wind turbines are electric generators that utilize wind energy to produce clean, emissions-free power for individual homes, farms, and small businesses. With this simple and increasingly popular technology, individuals can generate their own power and cut their energy bills while helping to protect the environment. The U.S. leads the world in the production of small wind turbines, which are defined as having rated capacities of 100 kilowatts and less, and the market is expected to continue strong growth through the next decade.
A small wind energy system can provide you with a practical and economical source of electricity if:
- your property has a good wind resource
- your home or business is located on at least one acre of land in a rural area
- your local zoning codes or covenants allow wind turbines
- your average electricity bills are $150 per month or more
- your property is in a remote location without easy access to utility lines
- you are comfortable with long-term investments
Learn more about it on our "sister site" Superior Wind Turbines of Ludington, MI.
