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Preface | |
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Introduction to Small-Scale Wind Energy | |
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World Wind Energy Resources | |
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The Pros and Cons of Wind Energy | |
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The Purpose of this Book | |
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Organization of this Book | |
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Understanding Wind and Wind Energy | |
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What is Wind? | |
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Offshore and Onshore Winds | |
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Mountain-Valley Breezes | |
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Large-Scale Wind Currents | |
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Wind from Storms | |
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Friction and Turbulence and Smart Siting | |
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The Mathematics of Wind Power | |
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Closing Thoughts | |
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Wind Energy Systems | |
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Components of a Wind Energy System | |
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Wind Energy System Options | |
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Grid-Connected Systems with Battery Backup | |
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Off-Grid (Stand-Alone) Systems | |
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Hybrid Systems | |
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Choosing a Wind Energy System | |
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Wind Site Assessment | |
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Assessing Electrical Demand | |
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Conservation and Efficiency First! | |
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Assessing Your Wind Resource | |
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How Much Electricity Will A Wind Turbine Produce? | |
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Does a Wind System Make Economic Sense? | |
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Putting It All Together | |
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A Primer on Wind Generators | |
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The Anatomy of a Wind Turbine | |
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Improvements in Small Wind Turbines | |
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The Main Components of Wind Turbines | |
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What to Look for When Buying a Wind Machine | |
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Other Considerations | |
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Building Your Own Wind Machine | |
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Conclusion | |
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Towers and Tower Installation | |
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Tower Options | |
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Homebrew Towers | |
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Tower Kits | |
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Tower Anchors and Bases | |
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Safety First | |
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Siting a Tower | |
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Aircraft Safety and the FAA | |
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Protecting Against Lightning | |
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Understanding Batteries | |
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What Types of Batteries Work Best? | |
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Will Any Lead-Acid Battery Work? | |
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Wiring a Battery Bank | |
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Sizing a Battery Bank | |
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Battery Maintenance and Safety | |
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Living with Batteries | |
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Inverters | |
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Battery-Based Inverters for Off-Grid Systems | |
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Batteryless Grid-Tied Inverters | |
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Multifunction Inverters | |
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Buying an Inverter | |
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Conclusion | |
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Maintaining a Wind-Electric System | |
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What's Required | |
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Climbable Towers | |
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Tilt-up Towers | |
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Final Inspections | |
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Conclusion | |
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Final Considerations: Zoning, Permits, Covenants, Utility Companies, Insurance and Buying a System | |
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Zoning, Building Permits, and Restrictive Covenants | |
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Zoning Regulations | |
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Connecting to the Grid: Working with Your Local Utility | |
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Insurance Requirements | |
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Buying a Wind Energy System | |
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Parting Thoughts | |
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Endnotes | |
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Resource Guide | |
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Index | |
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About the Authors | |