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small wind
Small Wind Toolbox
Financing
Finding Incentives
Small wind energy systems cost from $3,000 to $5,000 for every kilowatt of generating capacity, or about $40,000 for a 10-kw installed system. This is much cheaper than solar systems, but the payback period can still be lengthy.
That's why it's important to take advantage of rebates or tax credits available for small wind system installations. Well-sited small wind turbines can usually pay for themselves within 15 years, about half their serviceable lifetimes, if the right incentives are applied.
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Sizing Up Your Situation
Small wind systems pay off most consistently for rural homes and businesses with at least an acre of property, Class 2 winds, and utility bills averaging at least $150 monthly.
Under these circumstances, a 10-kilowatt wind turbine mounted on an 80-foot tower should generate an average of 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) monthly. With a net metering arrangement, each kWh generated can be valued at the retail electric rate charged by the utility, since that's power you don't have to buy and may even be feeding back into utility lines. Residents with reasonable electric rates will note that the payoff period can be lengthy. But the situation may look better when you factor in state incentives. In California, which offers a full range of rebates, state tax credits, and net metering, turbine owners can recoup their investments in less than 10 years¹, enjoying free electricity for the next 20. That's a healthy, tax-free return between 15 and 20 percent, depending on your electricity use and wind strength.
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The Numbers on Smaller Systems
Smaller wind generators with a 1-3 kilowatt capacity don't usually produce excess generation and are often used to power specific applications such as water pumps or recreational vehicle lights and appliances.
But the smaller turbines can still cut down energy bills. A 3-kW turbine mounted on a 60 to 80-foot tower costs about $15,000, including accessory components and batteries (if needed). A homeowner spending $60-100 per month for electricity could knock 30-60 percent off their bill, depending on the wind speed, tower height, and price of electricity.
Systems smaller than 1 kW are often used in stand-alone applications, or as part of a hybrid system with solar PV cells. A 400-watt system can be installed for $1,500.
Wind Turbines Far Cheaper than Utility Lines
The cost of extending utility lines to a new home can cost as much as $20,000-30,000 per quarter mile. The same money could buy a renewable energy system that will meet the electricity needs of an energy-efficient home. Such a system typically combines a wind turbine with photovoltaic panels, batteries, and a back-up generator. These systems avoid a much large expense right off the bat -- the absence of utility bills is an added benefit.
The Electric Power Research Institute suggests that in some areas of the United States utilities would save money by removing under-used transmission lines that are costly to maintain and serving loads with hybrid stand-alone power systems instead.
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Take Action: Tell Congress to support a tax credit for small wind! |
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