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Is Wind Power for you?

Contributing Editor: Will Johnston

All across the nation, more and more people are turning to green energy to save money and benefit the environment. Most of us are familiar with the concept of solar energy and have seen solar panels on roofs, garages, commercial buildings, etc.

Now people are looking at small urban wind turbines to harness the wind and generate electricity, but are they right for you?

Last year, roughly 7,000 Americans purchased a residential-scale wind turbine to power some or all of their home, farm, or small business. Thus providing individuals a direct way to help the environment and lower or eliminate their energy costs. Typically, these “small wind” turbines are a three-bladed, propeller-shaped generator around 15 feet in diameter and are perched atop a 40-to-100-foot tower. While they produce clean, greenhouse gas-free electricity, they aren’t for everyone.

Here are some major considerations you should take into account before purchasing a residential-scale wind turbine:

1. Keep in mind that small residential wind systems are most practical for areas with above-average wind speeds, and at least half an acre of open land to allow the wind to flow freely and at a good rate of speed. You will also want to consider the cost of energy in your area to determine if a residential wind system will be a reasonable investment.

2. If you don’t have a half acre of land or more, can you install a residential wind system on your roof top or in your back yard? Here are considerations:

• The wind quality is vastly different on a roof top or in a city. A Roof top ledge creates a lot of turbulence, which makes it difficult to find those fast-moving pockets of fast moving dense air necessary for optimum wind turbine operation. The typical a rule of thumb is that the hub of a wind turbine should be at least 30 feet higher than anything else in the immediate vicinity. This is because the faster wind speeds are at greater heights which require a minimum of interference from trees or buildings.
• The average roof top was never designed to hold the weight of a turbine or to withstand the constant vibrations that the spinning blades will inevitably send though a home.
• City zoning regulations are a factor also. Most cities usually prohibit this type of home improvement although some larger cities have recently begun granting permits for "urban wind" installations.
• Finances are also a major consideration. A wind turbine large enough to power an entire home can cost between $12,000 and $55,000 depending on the installation. However, many states offer financial incentives and have rebate programs to help off-set this cost.
• The neighbors are a consideration too. Talk to them first to see how they feel about the aesthetics of tall tower in your back yard or a roof mounted system. Also, wind turbines are not silent, no matter what anybody says. They do make noise, so be sure to discuss this with your neighbors as well. A good place to start your investigation into wind power is the American Wind Energy Association.

3. Many models of residential wind turbines are designed to be connected to the power grid so that you will have power even when the wind isn’t blowing. This power grid connection allows you to put excess electricity back into the power grid causing your meter to run backwards (you will need a special electricity meter for this) and providing a credit on you monthly electricity bill. This is known as “Net Metering”. Be sure to check with your utility company to see if they have a “Net Metering” program.

4. If you live in a remote location, away from the electric grid, installing a wind turbine system has tremendous potential for powering cabins, pumping water, etc. There are even special wind turbines for powering sailboat accessories. For these types of applications the wind turbine charges batteries to supply electricity.

5. Finally, you may want to install a wind turbine in conjunction with solar/photovoltaic (PV) panel array. Wind tends to blow more strongly at night when the sun is not shining, making wind and solar energy natural complements