Most of the content below is from the Small Wind Guidebook provided by OpenEI which is developed and maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with funding and support from the U.S. Department of Energy and a network of international partners & sponsors.

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A distributed wind energy system can provide you with a practical and economical source of electricity if:

• Your property has a good wind resource (at least 10 miles per hour (mph) annual average wind speed at tower height).
• Your home or business is located on at least 1 acre of land.
• Your local zoning codes or covenants allow wind turbines.
• You can determine how much electricity you need or want to produce.
• It works for you economically (you may be eligible for state/utility or federal incentives).
• You’re comfortable with long-term investments.
• Your average electricity bills are $150 per month or more or you don’t have access to utility grid power.

Introduction

More people are investigating the use of distributed wind systems as they look for a hedge against increasing electricity rates and a way to harvest their local wind resources. Although wind turbines large enough to provide a significant portion of the electricity needed by the average U.S. home generally require 1 acre of property or more, approximately 21 million U.S. homes are built on 1-acre and larger sites, and 19.3% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas. [1]

An analysis of behind-the-meter distributed wind potential in the United States found that distributed wind systems are technically feasible for approximately 49.5 million residential, commercial, or industrial sites, or about 44% of all U.S. buildings. This analysis shows that the distributed wind market opportunity is significant, and distributed wind has potential to play an increasing role in the U.S. electricity sector.[2]

Benefits of Distributed Wind

Distributed wind systems can be one of the most cost-effective on-site renewable energy systems. Wind is an abundant source of clean, renewable, and affordable domestic energy. Depending on your wind resource, a distributed wind energy system can lower your electricity bill slightly or up to 100%, help you avoid the high costs of extending utility power lines to remote locations, and sometimes can provide DC or off-grid power.[3] Off-grid distributed wind systems can provide reliable power for homes, farms, or even entire communities that are far from the nearest utility lines. For more information, please see DWEA’s Off-Grid Distributed Wind Systems Resources.

Distributed Wind Turbine Basics

Wind is created by the unequal heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical power that runs a generator to produce clean electricity.[4] Today’s turbines are versatile modular sources of electricity.[5] Their blades are aerodynamically designed to capture the maximum energy from the wind.[6] The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft connected to a generator or the generator’s rotor, which makes electricity.

Wind Resource

A site with an annual average wind speed of at least 10-12 mph (4.47 – 5.36 meters per second or m/s) at 100 feet (30 meters, which is a standard tower height), is typically considered sufficient for small wind turbines (up to 100 kW). For mid-size (101 kW – 1 MW) and large-scale (greater than 1 MW) turbines, taller towers, typically 50 – 80 meters, and higher annual average wind speeds are required. The U.S. Department of Energy WINDExchange Initiative has 30, 50, and 80 meter wind resource maps for each state available on their website.

Turbine Size

The size of the wind turbine you need depends on your application. Small turbines range in size from 20 Watts to 100 kilowatts (kW). The smaller or “micro” (20- to 500-Watt) turbines are used in applications such as charging batteries for recreational vehicles and sailboats.

Turbines used in residential applications can range in size from 400 Watts to 100 kW, depending on the amount of electricity you want to generate. Mid-size (101 kW – 1 MW) and large-scale (greater than 1 MW) turbines are used in commercial and community applications.

Wind turbine manufacturers, dealers, and installers can help you size your system based on your electricity needs and the specifics of your local wind resource and micro-siting. They can provide you with the expected annual energy output of the turbine as a function of annual average wind speed. This information along with information about any available financial incentives will help determine the appropriate size of turbine.

Importance of Turbine Certification

To justify your investment in a small wind turbine, you will want assurances that your turbine model has been evaluated for safety, performance, and functionality.[7] For more information, please see DWEA’s Certification Resources.

Want more information on wind turbine dealers near me? Feel free to contact us.

System Cost

Installation costs vary greatly depending on local zoning, permitting, and utility interconnection costs. Depending on these considerations, as well as the turbine size, distributed wind energy systems have an average cost of approximately $5,760 per kilowatt installed.[8] It should be noted that larger projects are commonly associated with lower costs per kilowatt. The capacity-weighted average installed project cost for projects less than or equal to 5 megawatts (MW) was approximately $3,412/kW, while projects between 5 and 20 MW averaged approximately $1,931/kW.[9]

Although wind energy systems involve a significant initial investment, they can be competitive with conventional energy sources when you account for a lifetime of reduced or avoided utility costs. The length of the payback period—the time before the savings resulting from your system equal the cost of the system—depends on the system you choose, the wind resource on your site, electricity costs in your area, and how you use your wind system.

For a list of active U.S. distributed wind installers, please see the Distributed Wind Installers List on OpenEI.

Net Metering

Distributed wind systems can be connected to the electricity distribution system. A grid-connected wind turbine can reduce your consumption of utility-supplied electricity for lighting, appliances, and electric heat. If the turbine cannot deliver the amount of energy you need, the utility makes up the difference. When the wind system produces more electricity than the household requires, the excess is sent or sold to the utility. These arrangements with the utility company are typically called net metering or net billing, and they address the value of the electricity sold or net excess generation, the time period for valuing the electricity (typically annually or monthly), and any other contractual requirements with the utility.

Net metering varies by state and by utility company, depending on whether net metering was legislated or directed by the Public Utility Commission. Net metering programs specify a way to handle the net excess generation (NEG) in terms of payment for electricity and/or length of time allowed for NEG credit. If the net metering requirements define NEG on a monthly basis, consumers can only receive credit for their excess that month. But if the net metering rules allow for annual NEG, the NEG credit can be carried for up to a year. Most of North America sees more wind in the winter than in the summer. For people using wind energy to displace a large load in the summer (like air conditioning or irrigation water pumping), having an annual NEG credit allows them to produce NEG in the winter and receive credits in the summer.[10]

Financing & Incentives

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) offers a database of available Federal, state, and utility incentives and policies (e.g., rebates, tax credits, grants, net metering, production-based incentives, and loans) for distributed wind projects.

Zoning & Permitting

Zoning refers to the general local regulations that allow and restrict various types of projects, whereas permitting refers to acquiring permits for a specific project within the scope of those zoning rules. The zoning and permitting processes for wind energy installations seek to address safety, aesthetics, and community interests and concerns. Some of these concerns might include sound level, visual impact, wildlife impact, TV/radio interference, ice shedding, or broken equipment.

Practices vary dramatically across the country so becoming familiar with the local regulations, authorities, and general requirements is helpful. For more information, please see DWEA’s Permitting and Zoning Resource Center.

Additional Resources

• U.S. Department of Energy: Distributed Wind
• U.S. Department of Energy WINDExchange Initiative
• Northwest Wind Resource & Action Center: Community-Scale & Distributed Wind

References

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What are the benefits of a small home wind turbine?

Automaxx small home wind turbines (400W / 600W / 1,500W) are becoming increasingly popular as more and more homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs and become more energy independent. Our wind turbines can be installed on a residential property and can provide a significant amount of electricity for a home, depending on the size and power of the turbine. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of installing a small home wind turbine.  

Small Home Wind Turbine Financial Advantages

• Cost savings: One of the biggest benefits of a Automaxx home wind turbine is the cost savings it can provide. Our turbines can generate electricity at a lower cost than traditional power sources. Over time, the savings on your energy bill can add up, making a small home wind turbine a smart investment.
• Increased property value: A small home wind turbine can also increase the value of your property. This is because a wind turbine is seen as a desirable feature, and it can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
• Government incentives: Many governments around the world offer incentives for homeowners who install small home wind turbines. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, or other financial incentives that can help offset the cost of the turbine.

 Environmental Impact

• Energy independence: A home wind turbine can also help you become more energy independent. This means that you’ll be less dependent on the grid and on traditional power sources, which can be affected by power outages or other issues. With a small home wind turbine, you’ll be able to generate your own electricity and have a reliable source of power even during a blackout.
• Environmental benefits: Another benefit of small home wind turbines is that they are a clean and renewable source of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, which emit harmful pollutants into the air, wind turbines do not produce any emissions. This makes them an environmentally friendly option for generating electricity.

 Installation and Maintenance

• Low maintenance: Automaxx home wind turbines are relatively low maintenance. They require very little upkeep, and you will only have to do a little bit of cleaning on the blades and the turbine itself to keep it running smoothly.
• Versatility: Automaxx home wind turbines are versatile and can be installed in a variety of locations. They can be installed on a pole. This means that they can be installed in a variety of locations, making them a great option for homeowners with limited space.

 Conclusion

Small home wind turbines are an excellent investment for homeowners who want to reduce their energy costs and become more energy independent. They are low maintenance, versatile, and environmentally friendly, and they can increase the value of your property. With government incentives and rebates, the cost of installing a small home wind turbine can be offset, making it a smart financial decision. If you’re considering installing a small home wind turbine, be sure to contact us at Automaxx.

 FAQs

1. Are small home wind turbines a worthwhile investment?
The cost-effectiveness of small home wind turbines depends on the amount of electricity they generate compared to your needs. They can be economically beneficial if your area has strong winds and you have high electricity expenses. However, keep in mind that these turbines also require ongoing maintenance, which involves additional costs and effort.

2. What appliances can be powered using a small wind turbine?
Small wind turbines can be integrated into the electricity grid through grid-connected systems. This setup allows you to use wind-generated electricity to power household lighting, appliances, heating and cooling systems, and even electric vehicle charging, thereby reducing your reliance on utility-supplied electricity.

3. What size wind turbine is required to power an average house?
For an average home, which typically consumes about 10,649 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually or 877 kWh per month, a wind turbine with a capacity between 5 to 15 kW is necessary to significantly meet this energy demand. The exact size needed also depends on the local average wind speed.

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