Wind Energy FAQs
Frequently asked Questions
Q: How do I apply for the tax credit? What tax form do I need?
A. To claim the tax credit for energy efficient products "placed in service" in 2009, you will need to file the 2009 IRS Form 5695 and submit it with your 2009 taxes (by April 15, 2010). Currently, only a DRAFT version of the 2009 IRS Form 5695 is available (without the instructions section). For products "placed in service" in 2010, you would take the tax credit on your 2010 taxes.
On the DRAFT 2009 1040 form, the residential energy tax credit (from Form 5695) is claimed on line 52.
Also save your receipts and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement for your records. A Manufacturer’s Certification Statement is a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. The IRS encourages manufacturers to provide these Certifications on their website to facilitate identification of qualified products.
Q: Is alternative energy likely to get a boost under the new presidential administration?
A: Yes. President-elect Barack Obama has said he wants to spend $150 billion over the next 10 years on biofuels, wind, solar, plug-in hybrids, clean-coal technology and other climate-friendly measures.
He also wants to require utilities to produce 25 percent of power from renewable energy such as wind, solar and biomass by 2025 and put 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on road by 2015.
Q: What size turbine would I need for my home?
A: Homes use approximately 9,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year (about 780 kWh per month). Depending upon the average wind speed in the area, a wind turbine rated in the range of 5 to 15 kilowatts would be required to make a significant contribution to meet this demand.
Q: Don't I have to take wind measurements for a year or more?
A: For most residential systems the cost of taking wind measurements is not justified. Wind resource data published by the U.S. Department of Energy is sufficient for an experienced evaluator to predict wind turbine performance. In very hilly or mountainous areas, however, it may be best to collect wind data before purchasing a system to ensure that your site is not in a sheltered area.
Q: How reliable are wind turbines? Will I have to perform much maintenance?
A: Most small turbines have very few moving parts and do not require any regular maintenance. They are designed for a long life (up to 20 years) and operate completely automatically.
Q: How do wind turbines perform as an investment?
A: The wind system will usually recoup its investment through utility savings within six to 15 years and after that the electricity it produces will be virtually free. Over the long term, a wind turbine is a good investment because a well-sited wind system increases property value, similar to any other home improvement. Many people buy wind systems in preparation for their retirement because they don't want to be subject to unpredictable increases in utility rates.
Q: How would I have a wind turbine installed at my home?
A: Split Power offers a complete Turn-Key (ready-to-operate) system. We have licensed and qualified technicians who will complete the install for you.
Q: What type of generator does Hummer manufacture?
A: All Hummer generators are three-phase, permanent-magnetic, synchronous, brushless alternators.
Q: Can you explain the high power yields and efficiency of your turbines versus your competitors?
A: Hummer small wind turbines are permanent magnetic generators located in the hub of the turbine, forward of the blades. Our turbines have large wind swept areas and are direct drive, not gear driven. Our turbine generators operate at 80% to 85% efficiency and the engineering and design of our turbine technology is state of the art. For an independent kWh assessment, please visit the site below and input the following information regarding the Hummer small wind turbine you are interested in. Rotor diameter, mean wind speed, cut-in wind speed, turbine efficiency (the site goes to 59% efficiency) and Weibull shape parameter (use 2 if your unsure). http://www.reuk.co.uk/Calculate-kWh-Generated-by-Wind-Turbine.htm
Q: How quite are the Hummer wind turbines?
A: Hummer wind turbines are very quiet. The Noise db(A) range from the 500 Watt to the 20kW is 29 db(A) to 34 db(A). To get an idea of what that means, please visit: http://www.makeitlouder.com/Decibel%20Level%20Chart.txt
Q: What type of Warranty comes with a Hummer wind turbine?
A: All Hummer wind turbines come with a standard 3 Year Limited Warranty that can be upgraded to a 5 Year Limited Warranty.
Q: What does it cost to upgrade from a Standard 3 Year Limited Warranty to a 5 Year Limited Warranty?
A: The upgrade cost vary based on the size of the turbine. Contact us for more information.
Q: Who provides the annual service and maintenance on the Hummer turbines and after the Warranty period, is there a service and maintenance fee?
A: All warranty issues will be handled by Split Power and annual service and maintenance can be handled by either the owner or Split Power. After the warranty period is over there is a fee for ongoing service and maintenance. Check with Split Power for the costs associated with continued service and maintenance.
Q: What benefits do your Permanent Magnetic Generators provide and how does that differentiate your turbine technology from others?
A: Our Permanent Magnetic Generator 'in-the-hub' technology requires zero maintenance, yields higher power output and is lightweight. PMG technology is state of the art and differentiates itself to expensive gear driven generators that once they break down, have to be rebuilt and require a more strict maintenance regime.
Q: Do the Hummer wind turbines use any type of braking system?
A: Yes. When the wind turbine needs to shut down manually for maintenance or the controller senses a problem (such as extreme wind speed ), the wind turbine is rotated parallel to the wind to bring the blades to a very slow spin. The controller then causes an automatic circuit override which uses the permanent magnets within the generator to bring the blades to a complete stop.
Q: Do your wind turbines require cable untwisting?
A: No. Hummer turbines come equipped with a slip ring yaw that requires no cable untwisting.
Q: Can your small wind turbines be remotely monitored?
A: Yes. Our Grid-Tied turbines come with PC software that can be monitored from anywhere around the globe as long as there is an internet connection available.
Q: Do you have an irrigation system available for your turbines?
A: Yes. Hummer turbines can be set up as an Off Grid system to power water irrigation systems.
Q: Are your turbines solar compatible?
A: Yes. Hummer inverters are wind/solar hybrid inverters.
Q: What is the life span of a Hummer turbine?
A: Projected life span with a maintained maintenance program is a minimum of 25 to 30 years.
Q: What type of maintenance do you recommend on your turbines?
A: On sizes 500W to 2kW, there is no maintenance required on the turbine itself. On the 3kW and higher we recommend lubing the yaw shaft acme screw once per year. We recommend on all models to check the guy wires (guyed towers) or connection bolts (monopole and freestanding lattice towers) once a year to make sure they remain tight.
Q: Do your Permanent Magnetic Generators require any maintenance?
A: No, they are factory sealed.
Q: What is the typical return on investment of your turbines?
A: That depends on the size of the turbine and the local, State and Federal Grant/Tax Credits that are available in your area. In some States like Wisconsin that have a great net metering program a realistic return on investment for a 20kW Hummer small wind turbine is 2-3 years. On average in the United States you can expect a realistic payback of 10 to 15 years depending on the price of electricity and the average wind speed in your state.
Q: Can anyone sell these units?
A: No. To insure proper installation and continued operation of all Hummer small wind turbines we utilize our certified and trained North American Hummer Dealer Network for all consumer sales. Our Dealer Network will help ensure that you purchase the right turbine for your needs and will help you with everything from evaluating the site of your turbine to grants and permitting as well as ongoing maintenance and any warranty work if it should arise.
Q: On your Grid Tied system, if the power grid goes down, do you have any protection built into your system?
A: Yes, we have a built in unloading system that cuts off power to the grid and is fully automated.
Q: What types and sizes of tower's do you offer?
A: Hummer offers an 18m Guyed Wire, 18m Wireless-climbable, 80'-100'-120'-140' Freestanding Lattice, 30m and 40m Monopole-climbable currently. We will soon be offering a mechanical tilting tower in an 18m height for those areas that have extremely high wind that don't need a high tower height and find a need to bring the turbine down for protection (coastal areas for example). Please see our products page for further information.
Q: What type of training and certification are Hummer Dealers required to do before becoming Dealers?
A: All Hummer Network Dealers are required to attend product and installation training before contracting with us. They are also required to have industry experience and the personnel on staff to meet state and federal industry requirements as well as carry adequate Liability and Workman's comp insurance.
Q: What type of protection do your wind turbines have for high wind speed?
A: When the Anemometer measures a wind speed in excess of 65 mph, the controls will turn the wind turbine 30° out of the wind to regulate speed. If the blades are still rotating too fast the controls will turn the wind turbine a full 90° and shut down. It will then monitor wind speed every 10 minutes and decide if it is ok to start back up or stay shut down.
Q: Are your Grid Tied wind turbines Single Phase or 3 Phase?
A: All inverters come standard as single phase however a 3 phase configuration is available.
Q: If you are installing more than one wind turbine can you wire the inverters in tandem on the same meter?
A: Yes.
Q: Can Hummer wind turbines be setup with a back up diesel generator in an Off Grid set up?
A: Yes. Using an ATS (automatic transfer switch) a diesel generator can be set up to automatically switch on when the wind turbine is not producing enough electricity.
Q: What colors do your turbines come in?
A: White.
Q: Are your turbines harmful to the environment and birds or other wild life?
A: Our turbines are not harmful to the environment, in fact they greatly help to reduce dependendence on other forms of energy that are harmful to the environment such as fossil fuels. There is less of a chance of a bird being harmed by a wind turbine than that of a fossil fuel burning jet liner taking off on a runway.
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