Wind power usage is seeing exponential growth over the past ten years. With some countries dedicating nearly a fifth of its energy consumption to wind power, wind power generators are receiving their fair share of work. Wind turbines come in all shapes, sizes, and purposes. From the sleek modern designs of wind power generators that prevail in the large scale wind farms, to the shabby windmills that dominate the Dutch countryside, wind power generators can be both complex and surprisingly simplistic.

The terms wind power generator and windmills are often confused for one another. The distinction lies in the intent of the energy usage. When wind power is used for primitive applications, such as a pump or a grind, the wind turbine is considered a windmill. If the wind power is used for the conversion to mechanical energy, such as electricity, the appropriate term is wind power generator (or wind generator).

The rising cost of energy and the increased public awareness of the environment have led many families, businesses, and nations to significantly increase the utilization of this renewable energy source. With a little bit of determination and know-how, individuals are building wind power generators to supplement their home energy supplies and greatly reduce the cost of their electricity bills. In fact, the proliferation of wind power usage has led to an increase in the sales of wind power kits and wind power construction workshops.

What exactly are wind power generators? Wind power generators are small wind turbines that are mounted approximately one hundred feet high (usually between eighty and one hundred twenty feet). Because of the required height, wind power generators tend to convert more electricity when they are placed in remote or less densely populated areas. As the wind blows, the blades of the wind power generator spin and generate electricity. This electricity can then be stored and used for local use.

Wind speed and the size of the wind power generator are both important factors when determining the amount of power that could be generated. The expected or theoretical power generation can be obtained by the wind turbine manufacturer.

Wind power generators come in a plethora of sizes and uses. Some may be as small as a fifty watt used to generate machinery (such as boats), while the largest turbines deliver up to six megawatts. With the rising cost of energy and the increasingly public awareness of environmental issues, it is not unrealistic to expect to see more wind power generators across the world. Whether they are as iconic as those in the Dutch countryside, or as useful as the modern generators in West Texas, wind power generators are on the rise.