Wind Turbine Quiz

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For each question, please choose YES or NO.

The more you answer YES, the more wind power makes sense for you. Answering NO once won't hurt, but multiple NOs suggest that wind power won't be worth it to you.
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Do you currently have solar power mounted on your vehicle?* This field is required.
YESNO
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Why This Matters:

If you don't have solar power yet, wind isn't going to help. Wind power generally will cover up to 20% of your energy needs. Without solar power, you'll be out of electricity 80% of the time or more!
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Does your solar power cover roughly 90-99% of your electrical needs?* This field is required.The other % may include lost power from bad weather, extreme temps, or just occasional excessive power use
YESNO
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Why This Matters:

If your solar panels cover less than 90% of your needs, you should reevaluate your power system size first. Schedule a solar audit with us to get your solar power sorted!

If your solar panels cover 100% of your electrical needs, awesome! This is rare since even overbuilt solar will fail in prolonged stormy conditions without supplemental generator use.
6
Is your power system energy-conscious and minimalist in size?* This field is required.If you scoff at 50W of power generation, select NO.
YESNO
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Why This Matters:

Being energy-conscious isn't just about turning off the lights at night. Its about choosing your electrical appliances from the start such that you don't use that much energy overall. For example, a 12V fridge-freezer can store as much as a residential mini-fridge if packed right, but uses 1/3 the energy.

This is important because wind turbines do not produce a lot of power - they produce a lot of energy. Energy is power over time, so the longer something runs, the more energy it uses.

A 400W wind turbine in 10-13mph winds may produce only 40-60W of power, but if those winds are sustained for a whole 24 hours, that equates to 960-1440Wh of energy. That's enough to charge a 12v 100Ah battery to full in just a single day, in wind speeds that are commonly found across the world.

If you have the equivalent of 2-5 of these batteries in your system, this much energy is a big deal. If you have the equivalent of 10+ of these batteries, you would need multiple wind turbines to notice a difference.
8
Do you have space for mounting at least one wind turbine?* This field is required.Mounting locations may include trailer tongues, permanent RV ladders, or custom frame-mounted supports.
YESNO
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Why This Matters:

In general, the bigger the vehicle, the more turbines you will need. If you use a ton of electricity but only have room to mount one turbine, it won't be worthwhile. If you don't consume much energy and have space for a turbine, you will notice a significant difference in energy production.

The mounting location has to be strong. If it isn't attached to your vehicle's frame or structural steel, chances are it won't hold a wind turbine up in 30mph gusts. To some, 30mph may not sound like a lot. But 30mph gusts will easily push over tall metal objects if not secured. Now add a wind turbine on top of a 15-25ft flagpole. The force will break your mounting location if it is not strong enough.
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Are you physically capable of mounting a 25lb wind turbine? This includes lifting it above your head, feeding wires, extending the flagpole, and securing everything with steel cables.* This field is required.Having a partner helps - but it isn't necessary
YESNO
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Why This Matters:

25lb may not seem like alot of weight at first. But when you put that 25lb object on top of a flagpole, feed wires through the pole, extend the pole, stake it all out, and complete any remaining mounting tasks, you'll be lucky if you haven't sweat a drop.

If solo, this work is best suited for young, strong individuals. With a partner, the job is definitely a lot easier.

The elderly should avoid wind turbines due to the demands of mounting them. That is, unless they are still very much physically capable.
12
Are you able to leave your solar-powered rig at camp without moving it for 5 or more days?* This field is required.Having a secondary mode of travel - whether it be an E-bike or a drivable vehicle - is essential
YESNO
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Why This Matters:

It takes ~30-60 minutes to set up a wind turbine, and almost as much time to tear it down and pack it up. While it is possible to do this frequently, it's generally not worth it. You will exhaust yourself faster, and you usually won't generate that much energy overall for your efforts.

Vanlifers, SUV drivers, and motorhome owners - if you don't have a secondary mode of travel for getting around town and/or restocking on supplies, a wind turbine is going to give you headaches. You can't drive around with it attached to your roof. Wind turbines are better suited for small trailers, full-sized campers, removable truck top campers, and similar.
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Do you have adequate storage in your vehicle for a wind turbine?* This field is required.You will need a place to store the turbine head and blades, the flagpole and mounting gear, the power cables, and more.
YESNO
15
Why This Matters:

The turbine head and blades should be stored in a foam-packed rigid container to protect them on bumpy roads. The flagpole can be mounted on a rooftop if strapped down properly. Some mounting gear can remain attached permanently to the vehicle. The power cables just need to be spooled up neatly somewhere.
16
Do you often camp in windy areas with more than a gentle breeze?* This field is required.Mountain passes, open fields, shorelines, and large rivers often experience greater wind speeds.
YESNO
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Why This Matters:

If you're frequently camping in areas sheltered from the wind, such as dense forest cover or narrow valleys, you won't experience a whole lot of wind. You need at least 6.5mph winds to start producing power with most wind turbines, and 10-12mph winds to produce meaningful results. 30mph winds will produce the best results, but these wind speeds are rare except in large storms and weather fronts.
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Quiz Results:

Did you answer YES for most of these questions? Then wind power may be right for you!

Did you answer NO for a few of these questions? Wind power may not be a good fit for you right now. But that's okay - if you really want reliable wind power, consider downsizing your electrical needs and making the necessary changes for wind power to be more feasible for you.
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Would you like us to contact you about these results?* This field is required.If so, please provide your contact info in the following questions.
YESNO
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Please list your preferred name
First Name
Last Name
21
What's a good email address to contact you?
example@example.com
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What's a good phone number to contact you?
Please enter a valid phone number.
Should be Empty: