Small Wind Turbines

As the renewable energy revolution continues to expand its reach, these days it is possible to buy small wind turbines or even build them at home. According to the American Wind Energy Association, a wind turbine may cut a household’s electricity bill by 50 to 90 percent. A small domestic turbine is ideal for those looking to get cheap home wind power and who live in an area where conditions allow them to do so. It is a smaller version of the large wind turbines we see when we’re driving on a highway. It can be fitted to the house or somewhere suitable very close to the building.

The U.S. is the world leader in the production of small wind turbines, which refers to those with rated capacities of 100 kilowatts and less. The market is expected to continue growing in the near future. Evidence of the popularity of wind power is everywhere as small wind turbines dot the landscape in many parts of the country.

An average contemporary home equipped with typical appliances will require a small wind turbine that spans five meters (16.4 feet) from tip to tip on a location with good wind conditions. An American needs on average 9,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year (about 780 kWh per month). In order to meet this power demand, it would be necessary a wind turbine of 5 to 15 kilowatts.

Small wind turbines are not for everyone, though, at least at present. Currently they are more suitable for larger suburban homes built on small lots. The AWEA’s recommendation is at least one acre of area. It also recommends at least a 10 mph average wind speed and for that reason the Northeast and the Midwest are the regions with most of the small wind turbines in the country.