DIY wind turbine seems like a daunting project, but for a clean, free, and renewable energy source, you shouldn’t think twice. Trying my hand at living off the land, I’ve realized the need to harness renewable energy sources.
Check out these DIY wind turbine designs, ideas, and tips to get started in no time!
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DIY Wind Turbine Ideas for Free and Green Energy Source
DIY Wind Turbine Design Ideas
If you’re like me, who can’t stand the noise of a generator and the stench of gas, consider a wind generator. We have solar panels installed at home, but for an alternative energy source, a DIY wind turbine can come in handy.
1. $30 DIY Wind Turbine
A homesteader who never throws reusable stuff away sure can build this cost-effective DIY wind turbine. If you're the crafty kind, you can do this for $30 and even less. Try this DIY wind turbine at a minimal cost.
2. DIY Tesla Turbine
This good old machine (and by old, I mean a good hundred years old) has been a reliable industrial machine. It could definitely be so for your humble homestead, too.
By following this incredible tutorial and with the help of the right tools and types of equipment, you can have a Tesla turbine working in your homestead. Your basic know-how of this rotor is something your homestead could use.
3. DIY Miniature Wind Turbine
A large-scale DIY wind turbine will seem imposing, but try this simple project to convince yourself otherwise. I’m pretty sure you’ll find this project engaging; it's a worthwhile project that works well.
4. Repurposed Bike Parts DIY Wind-Power Water Pump
A simple homestead task such as emptying water out of a pond can use up quite a considerable amount of energy. This simple wind-powered pump could be the solution.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle in style, and generate energy to create a wind-powered water pump.
5. DIY Nozzle Diffuser Wind Turbine
It’s amazing how simple household materials make a difference. See how this bin or bucket can make a difference to your homemade wind turbine. Consider this nozzle diffuser with its top-of-the-line mechanics.
It will help direct energy to your homemade wind turbine with the most efficiency.
6. Homemade Paper Carton Wind Turbine
Take inspiration from this ‘wasp’ wind turbine from scratch. I’m pretty sure a self-sustaining homesteader like you can do this as well. This DIY wind turbine model for your home will make an awesome project for the whole family.
7. Cardboard Tesla Turbine
This is why we don’t throw empty toilet paper rolls, especially the big ones. Can you imagine this Tesla turbine design made from cardboard and toilet paper rolls?
You can also make this mini Tesla machine for your homemade wind turbine at a minimal cost, or even for free.
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8. Sleek Wooden Wind Turbine Design
We love this wind turbine design. It has a futuristic and sophisticated look with its sleek wind turbine blades. It's amazing this design incorporated wood–it doesn’t get any greener than that.
You can take this as an inspiration for your own homemade wind turbine.
9. Wind Generator with a Car Alternator
Who would have thought a car alternator can be as versatile and useful as this project is! So, if you have a spare car alternator in your garage, this DIY wind turbine is best for you!
With average engineering skills, you can make this foolproof wind turbine project in less than a day.
10. DIY PVC Pipe Vertical Wind Turbine
Saving on your energy bills can mean a lot, even if it’s only a few bucks. Build a wind turbine from large PVC pipes. This horizontal axis wind turbine follows a savonius wind turbine design.
You can power your outdoor lights and save a few dollars.
11. Homemade Electricity-Producing Wind Turbine
Take this inspiration for a homemade wind turbine with a power potential of 3000 watts! Conventional wind turbine plans use blades like how an electric fan works. Check your place and see how the wind works there.
If you have high winds, might as well take advantage of the wind energy. Build a wind turbine and get electricity going.
12. Homemade Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
If you have limited space for a huge horizontal wind turbine then a vertical wind turbine is for you. With many wind turbine plans, a vertical-axis wind turbine is efficient, space-wise.
Now you’ve got no excuse for going green with your energy source even if you’ve got limited space.
13. New Saphonian Bladeless Wind Turbine
Imagine how a broad piece of fabric can power a large sailboat. That is where the idea for this bladeless Saphonian design for a wind turbine comes from.
It boasts of generating wind energy twice as efficiently as conventional designs. If you get good wind in your area, imagine the electricity generated by this wind generator.
14. DIY Vertical Wind Turbine from Washing Machine Motor
You can repurpose a broken-down washing machine into this small wind turbine. Use the washing machine motor to power this generator.
This is a vertical-axis wind turbine that generates wind speed beyond the size. Start with this mini project and graduate to powering more than a bulb.
15. DIY Savonius VAWT
A DIY Savonius wind turbine (vertical-axis wind turbine) will save you time, space, and cash. All you need are bearings, 2 large buckets, and some pipe.
16. DIY Coke Bottle Wind Turbine
This is a very simple and cheap vertical axis design, using easy to come by parts. It is also very easy to assemble, with a minimum of machining necessary.
Drilling a few large holes is as difficult as it gets. And of course, it allows you to reuse some of those empty soda bottles you have lying around.
17. Dandelion Wind Turbine
Here’s a wind turbine with an aim to generate as much power as possible (with a 24W motor).
There you have it, homesteaders! DIY wind turbine design plans and ideas to suit your needs, whether budget-wise, skill level-wise, even space-wise.
Learning about renewable energy sources and applying them is a survival skill for you to learn. Who knows when it will come in handy?
Which of these DIY wind turbine design ideas are you planning to recreate? Let us know in the comments below!
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in April 2019, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
This article reminds me of a project that we started but never finished. My husband bought a Ametek 30 VDC permanent magnet motor and welded up a bracket for it. Just after we got it ready, the company that sold the rotors that we wanted to use seemed to disappear.
Your article reminded me that I need to find another source for a rotor and finish our project up!
To Patty,
Hello hun, I’m an old simi retired owner of a machine shop! I’ve had a heart attack so they have taken my keys to the shop away,,,lol,,,,what I wanted to say to you is if you will send me a drawing, sketch, or just dimensions to the rotor you need I’ll make you one. See I do know where the hidden keys are,,,,lol,,,,I still piddle and I would love for my piddling to go for something someone really does need and can use. Hope to hear from you soon. Chuck
how to use a grid tie with maximum efficiency https://www.patriotdirect.org/how-to-use-a-grid/
Great tip John. Nice site. 🙂
The cost isnt so much in the generator, it’s in the battery you use to store the energy. THAT is what hits your pocketbook.
Hi Jyn, I agree. So I invented a mini of pumped hydro based on using a water well. The design stores water in a closed surface container. The modified rope pump functions as a water turbine. The water from the surface powers the turbine and the bottom of the well is the outlet for the water. I power this arrangement with a new kind of VAWT that has both strong torque and a high rpm.
If you or anyone else would like to know more, Email me at sharpencil#sbcglobal.net and I’ll send you my paper that includes the concept in a couple of drawings.
My name is Peter Allen Sharp. I live in the SF Bay Area.
Efficiency of these systems compared to solar is dismal, fun project
how many turbines do you need to power a house and how many solar panels would you need to power a home. what is the total watts you would need for each or they the same. thank you. loner
if you were very frugal with your power usage (no refrigeration, heating or air conditioner equipment) you could easily get by with approximately $30,000.00 of solar equipment for your location. Wind is dependent of course on your local winds. On the average 3000 watts would be the equivalent of 5 or more turbines in this article.
I used to have big problem finding effective ways to build my wind power system and reduce my electric bill.But I am getting better result now, after I stumbled upon this excellent guide I found HERE ( easy-wind-power.hqtips.info ). It was a godsend. It gave me great wind power tips and showed me what I was doing wrong before.
all your links go to pintrist, no thanks