| By :
Roger Brown
If you are seriously considering installing roof mounted wind turbines, then you need to pay careful attention to where exactly on your roof you place the windmill. Although it may be your only real choice, your roof is in no way the optimal place to make energy. It is usually a lot better to install your generator higher up to take advantage of stronger winds. The rule of thumb is at least 30 feet above the level of the highest ground obstruction, (like trees or buildings). However, you can make the most out of whatever real estate on your roof you have to work with.
There is a lot of area up there that you can put roof mounted wind turbines but most of that area is just not going to work for making electricity. There is just not enough wind up there in most areas of the roof to make adequate power to pay for the out-of-pocket costs of the initial installation. If you carefully survey the wind dynamics at different points you will likely find that at least several areas will work. "Roof Effect" in fact will work to your advantage if you carefully assess your optional mounting spots. This proven aerodynamic can turn a weak wind into a strong one. How does Roof Effect do that? By compressing the energy and redirecting it along the roof contour. If you place your windmill at the apex of that wind stream, you will make the most electricity. Once the wind hits the roof and compresses, it forms a boundary layer of air that accelerates along the contour of the roof until it reaches the apex, where it disperses and loses energy. So, if you are careful in placing your windmill at the maximum height of the roof along the ridge line, you will be taking advantage of the maximum energy available up there. You can measure this phenomenon in real time by attaching an anemometer several places and recording the speed and direction of the wind you measure. An anemometer is a small Savonius style wind turbine that drives a small shaft. The anemometer's electronics will record what wind it sees at each location over the time you leave it in one place. Summarizing - It is important to understand your real wind numbers before you buy your roof mounted wind turbine. If you find that your wind at the apex is in the neighborhood of 9 mph, then you have enough to drive a turbine.
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