Capturing the Wind

Jennifer Bryce has a wonderland of alternative energy systems on her farm. Aside from her solar setup, she has a small Chinook 200 wind turbine providing additional energy to the system, making hers the only hybrid henhouse I know.

The biggest difference with adding a wind turbine versus solar power is the addition of a resistor (basically acting as a charge controller) to the setup to prevent the turbine from overcharging the batteries. Power from the wind and solar systems flows into the resistor, which regulates the voltage going to the batteries. In the process, the resistor heats as it expends the excess energy. In Bryce’s well-insulated chicken coop, this keeps the inside temperature well above freezing despite bitter-cold winter temperatures.

The downside is the cost. Small wind turbines run close to $1,000 with the tower. This might be a little pricey for a small flock of backyard chickens, but it’s an option that’s becoming more feasible as demand increases.