Our Honest Take on Wind Power at Cornish Cottage Homestead

Hello, fellow homesteaders and off-grid enthusiasts! Welcome back to the Cornish Cottage Homestead blog. If you're new here, we're a family living off-grid beside the beautiful, windswept coast of Cornwall, UK. We've been experimenting with various renewable energy sources to power our little off-grid plot, and today, I want to share our real-world experience with wind power. As first-time off-gridders, we're all about trying new things, learning from our mistakes, and passing on what we've discovered. Spoiler alert: wind power hasn't quite blown us away (pun intended).

Why We Gave Wind Power a Go

When we first set up our off-grid system, we knew we needed reliable ways to generate electricity, especially during those blustery Cornish days. Solar panels were our starting point, but we thought adding wind turbines could provide a nice backup, particularly in winter when the sun hides behind clouds for weeks. We figured the constant coastal winds would make wind power a no-brainer. So, we picked up two small turbines online—each costing less than £300. They weren't top-of-the-line models, but at that price, we thought they'd at least pull their weight. Boy, were our expectations a bit optimistic!

The Easy Installation Process

One of the upsides? Installation was a breeze (okay, last pun, I promise). We didn't need fancy equipment or professional help. We repurposed an old scaffolding pole we had lying around from previous projects, mounted the turbines on it, and positioned them in spots where they'd catch the most wind—up on a hill with unobstructed views of the sea. The whole setup took just a couple of hours on a calm day. If you're handy with basic tools, this is definitely doable for beginners like us. No digging foundations or complex wiring; just secure the pole, attach the turbines, and connect them to our battery bank.

Performance: Keeping the Lights On... Barely

Now, onto the nitty-gritty: how well do they actually work? In short, for us, wind power just about keeps the lights on. These turbines trickle-charge our batteries at best, providing a tiny bit of juice on windy days. We've monitored them closely, and even during strong gusts, the output is minimal—nowhere near enough to run appliances or handle any major power requirements. We feel it's just not effective enough to rely on as a primary or even secondary source. Sure, they're cheap, but we still expected more from them. On calm days (which happen more often than you'd think, even in windy Cornwall), they spin lazily and contribute next to nothing. It's been a lesson in managing expectations with budget gear.

Maintenance Woes and Moving Parts

Another downside we've encountered is the maintenance. Wind turbines have moving parts, which means they're prone to wear and tear. The bearings in ours have already started to show signs of fatigue after just a few months of use. We've had to climb up there to lubricate and inspect them regularly, which isn't ideal in bad weather. Salt from the sea air probably accelerates the corrosion, too. If you're in a coastal area like us, factor in extra upkeep to keep things spinning smoothly. It's not a set-it-and-forget-it solution, that's for sure.

Would We Do It Again? Probably Not

As first-time off-gridders, we're grateful for the hands-on learning experience. Trying wind power has taught us a lot about our site's wind patterns and what our energy needs really are. But honestly, it's not our preferred choice of power anymore. The inconsistent output and maintenance demands make it feel more like a novelty than a reliable system. If we were starting over, we'd invest those funds elsewhere—perhaps in more solar panels or even a small hydro setup if we had a stream. Wind power might work wonders in consistently high-wind areas with higher-quality turbines, but for our Cornish setup, it's not something we'd choose again.

If you've had better luck with wind turbines or have tips for making them more effective, drop a comment below—we'd love to hear from you! In the meantime, stay tuned for our next post on solar upgrades. Thanks for reading, and happy homesteading!

Sarah & Damian

Cornish Cottage Homestead