Introduction to small-scale wind energy : World wind energy resources ; The pros and cons of wind energy ; The purpose of this book ; Organization of this book
Wind and wind energy : What is wind? ; Large-scale wind currents ; Wind from storms ; Friction, turbulence and smart siting ; The mathematics of wind power ; Closing thoughts
Wind energy systems : Wind turbines ; Towers ; Wind energy system options ; Hybrid systems ; Choosing a wind energy system
Wind site assessment : Assessing electrical demand ; Conservation and efficiency first! ; Assessing your wind resource ; How much energy will a wind turbine produce? ; Does a wind system make economic sense? ; Putting it all together
A primer on wind generators : The anatomy of a wind turbine ; The main components of wind turbines ; What to look for when buying a wind machine ; Other considerations ; Building your own wind machine ; Conclusion
Towers and tower installation : Tower options ; Tower kits ; Tower anchors and bases ; Proper siting of a wind machine ; Tower height considerations ; Aircraft safety and the FAA ; Protecting against lightening
Batteries and charge controllers : Which types of batteries work best? ; Will any lead-acid battery work? ; Wiring a battery bank ; Sizing a battery bank ; Battery maintenance and safety ; Living with batteries
Inverters : Types of inverters ; Buying an inverter
Final considerations : Covenants and neighbors' concerns ; Zoning and permits ; Connecting to the grid : working with your local utility ; Insurance requirements ; Buying a wind energy system ; Maintaining a wind-electric system ; Parting thoughts.
