Better than in Europe and the USA: which wind turbines from China should Ukrainians consider buying (video)

All Roads Lead to China

Six months ago, Bohdan created a video for his YouTube channel about wind turbines manufactured in China. According to him, the information remains relevant in January 2025, as no new models have been produced yet, and the prices for existing ones are roughly the same. Bohdan Kushlyk believes that retail prices may be revised after the Chinese New Year, which means not before mid-February.

The reviewer emphasizes products from China because, in his opinion, Europe and the USA currently cannot offer worthy alternatives. There are manufacturers there, but their prices are two to three times higher, and the quality can sometimes be worse than that of Chinese counterparts. Moreover, some companies are clearly attempting to deceive customers.

Where to Find Wind Turbines in China?

Wind generators are available on the well-known Chinese online platform Aliexpress. Typically, stores there purchase equipment from manufacturers and add their markup. It's important to note that prices can be significantly inflated, so it’s advisable to compare offers and seek the most advantageous deals, while also paying attention to ratings and reviews. Additionally, you should "hunt" for discounts and utilize coupons provided by Aliexpress to reduce costs as much as possible.

Another option is the Alibaba platform, which specializes in wholesale sales, but you can also find favorable retail offers. A significant advantage here is the ability to order wind turbines directly from manufacturers, saving money. Keep in mind that stores often list rather low price thresholds to attract buyers, but the actual amounts upon ordering are usually much higher.

A considerable part of the expenses comes from shipping; however, you can save even more by contacting the seller to arrange delivery to a local warehouse of a Ukrainian intermediary company in China. This company can help with cheaper delivery to Ukraine and, in the case of a large order, facilitate payment to bypass limits. Bohdan Kushlyk recommended one such company in the video description and provided a step-by-step ordering guide:

• Contact the seller on Alibaba and request the price including local delivery in China to the intermediary's warehouse;
• Obtain from the seller a "packing list" — a description of the boxes, their dimensions, and weight;
• Provide the intermediary with product information (price including local delivery, link, packing list);
• Receive a quote, and if the amount is acceptable — ask for the order number and warehouse address;
• Pass the warehouse address and order number to the Alibaba seller and request an order confirmation;
• Pay for the order on Alibaba; if the amount exceeds the limit — seek assistance from the intermediary;
• Monitor the shipment, receive a tracking number from the seller, and pass it to the intermediary;
• Wait for the package to arrive at the warehouse in China and arrange for delivery within Ukraine.

It's advisable to avoid even looking at vertical-type wind turbines, regardless of what manufacturers claim, as they are physically incapable of generating a significant amount of electricity. For instance, the Savonius turbine has an efficiency of only 9-10%, and the Darrieus rotor is not far behind with 15-16% efficiency.

"They are very limited, and their capabilities are poor," Bohdan Kushlyk emphasized.

It's worth purchasing and installing horizontal-type wind turbines, which are further divided into subtypes.

Class S Wind Turbines

These devices feature a short generator disk-body secured with four bolts, varying numbers of blades with rotor diameters ranging from 1.1 to 1.3 m, and a weight of about 9 kg. Versions are available with voltages of 12, 24, or 48 V. Bohdan Kushlyk recommends opting for three blades because, due to their small size, such wind turbines cannot efficiently operate with heavy loads and will never produce much electricity.

The thickness of the generator in Class S wind turbines ranges from 8 to 15 mm. With 8 mm thickness, the maximum output will be 40-50 W, while at 15 mm it can reach 100-120 W, provided there is very strong wind.

For example, the S3 wind turbine from Smaraad costs around $100-$120, but significant generation should not be expected. It can be used for experiments to better understand the operation of wind power plants in practice or for travel, as it is lightweight, portable, and easy to install on a pole-mast, allowing for 0.5-1 kWh generation in a week to support the energy system, although there are better solutions for this.

Class M Wind Turbines

When discussing the entry-level (M3), they visually resemble the S3 but feature a significantly longer and wider turbine and a rounded tail blade, which is usually too short and should be extended independently. Bohdan Kushlyk has one purchased and one homemade model, and he recommends choosing a model with a diameter of 1.65 m.

The "iron" set of the M3 generator from the manufacturer Smaraad has a thickness of about 24 mm, with thicker magnets, and a total weight of 13 kg. Manufacturers sometimes promise an output of 2000-10,000 W, but the actual output is 500 W, which the turbines achieve at wind speeds of 11-12 m/s. The characteristic blades will generate noise at wind speeds of 7 m/s. The normal price for an M3 wind turbine is $200-$220 on AliExpress.

Class M also includes larger types of wind turbines — M4, M6, M8. They have a similar appearance but are significantly larger and heavier generators with eight bolts. For instance, the weight of a fully assembled M5 generator starts at 29 kg. The tail blade has sharp angles, and the base of the tail should also be extended for better rotation of the apparatus.

Models like M4 have a power output of 700 W, a smooth generator housing, and inferior blades without a curved acceleration zone, which are rarely available for sale. Bohdan Kushlyk suggests considering M5, M6, or M8, which feature a ribbed generator housing. The blade diameters of the best shape are 2, 2.1, and 2.3 m, respectively, with weights of 25, 28, and 33 kg.

Sellers on Aliexpress often inflate the power ratings of wind turbines, and even if they are stated honestly, they typically use the Asian region's standard metrics at a wind speed of 15 m/s, which is hard to achieve at low heights. An exception in this case is Wuxi Fengteng New Energy Co., which targets 11-12 m/s, closer to the average wind speed in Ukraine.

Bohdan Kushlyk received a document from the Chinese manufacturer Wuxi Fengteng New Energy Co. in personal correspondence, detailing the actual specifications and prices of the wind generators. According to this data, the M4 yields 600 W, the M5 — 800 W, the M6 — 1000 W, and the M8 — 1500 W. The prices in China are $250, $290, and $350, respectively. Considering the markup from stores and shipping, the final prices for Ukrainians should be approximately:

• M5 — $500;
• M6 — $600;
• M8 — $700.

According to Bohdan Kushlyk, these wind turbines are quite worthy of attention from Ukrainians, as they have decent efficiency and can provide a substantial amount of energy for a home, especially the larger M8 models. The YouTube channel Free Energy Home demonstrated that the M6 produced an instantaneous power of 2.4 kW.

It's better to purchase a wind generator with a higher voltage and buy the controller separately. For example, a turbine rated at 96 V or 120 V, and the controller should be with a step-down module (or what is known as a buck-type controller) — to charge a 48 V system.

"Then everything will work perfectly and start smoothly; at 2 m/s, you will already have normal output, showing 20-30 W, and more beyond that," says Bohdan Kushlyk.

Class SL/FT Wind Turbines

The next class of wind turbines — SL-3000 from the manufacturer Smaraad or the equivalent FT-2000 L1 from Wuxi Fengteng has a power output of 2 kW with a diameter of 2.9 m and features a foldable tail. Such models should be ordered on Alibaba through an intermediary. The cost with direct shipping to Ukraine currently ranges from $1170 to $1197, but by following the specified scheme, the product cost Bohdan $765, including delivery, customs clearance, and transfer fees.

According to Bohdan Kushlyk, the stated power of the wind generators from Smaraad is not accurate, as it is actually lower. The SL-4000 from Smaraad, with a diameter of 3.4 m, can output up to 2.2-2.5 kW, and its current price with a discount on Aliexpress