Texas Windmill




The Windmill is synonymous with Texas and is deeply intwined in its history. It is part of the natural landscape and in harmony with the culture of cattle ranching and farming across Texas. The Wind Pump (windmill) was used to draw water from the aquifers deep underground to supply holding tanks for animals and was able to be disengaged when the tanks were full.

The necessity for these wind pumps has wained in recent history as electricity was supplied across the land and has been replaced by low energy water pumps. Many of these old windmills remain even though they are off line they are an iconic symbol of the past. These symbols are so well appreciated that they still retain value as prized possessions in the rural landscape.

This type of widely available Vernacular Architecture is what should be tapped for green energy. By modifying the windmill and adding a type of alternator the production of electricity could be harvested from these existing wind pumps. And since the windmill is a sought item with a rural home it could be manufactured as an efficient production line model (American Classic Wind Power 6kW). By harvesting wind and solar panels on a single home it could help produce a sustainable net-zero energy building.

RSI Wind "Stealth Tower" dual use wind turbine & cell tower

The company RSI Wind is producing a classic windmill that harnest the wind power to produce electricity and serves as a cell antenna tower.

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Referenced Links:
http://aermotorwindmill.com/Index.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windpump
http://www.windmill.com/Miriahproject/index.html
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/aow01
http://www.rsiwind.com/stealth_towers.php
American Classic Windmill Power

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