While there is certainly a lot of information on how to build a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine available on the internet, I haven't found any that are documented to the point where you could just start working on them.
It's a bit lofty, but I aim to design, and build an open source VAWT that satisfies the following requirements:
* well documented design, covering all aspects of the project including the turbine, alternator, charge controller, etc...
* accessible to those of us that don't have a full machine shop, the project should use only basic power tools
* source new (or salvaged) parts from as few vendors as possible; everything should come from Digikey, McMaster, and your local hardware store
* discreet components only; no programming
* have an urban scale so that you can mount it in a suburban neighbourhood yard
* modular electronics: battery charge controller; active brake; 5V buck; rpm & current data logger; inverter