FAQ - Wind Turbines
Q. How do residential wind turbines work?
A. A wind turbine is installed on top of a tall tower and collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity. This electricity is stored in batteries and is then passed through an inverter producing standard electrical power compatible with your home's electrical system.
Q. Will a small wind turbine save me money?
A. The wind turbine typically lowers your electricity bill by 50- to 90-percent. It is not uncommon for wind turbine owners with total-electric homes to have monthly utility bills of only $8 to $15 for nine months of the year. However, the economics of a wind system are very sensitive to the average wind speed in the area, and to a lesser extent, the cost of purchasing electricity. As a general rule of thumb, if economics are a concern, a turbine owner should have at least a 10-mph average wind speed and be paying at least 10 cents/kWh for electricity.
Q. What size turbine would I need for my home?
A. Homes use approximately 9,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year (about 780 kWh per month). Depending upon the average wind speed in the area, a wind turbine rated in the range of 5 to 15 kilowatts would be required to make a significant contribution to meet this demand.
Q. Who should consider buying a wind turbine?
A. A residential wind turbine can be a relatively large device and is not suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes. Except for very small wind turbines (i.e., with rotors one meter or less in diameter) on very small towers, a property size of one acre or more is desirable.
Q. How reliable are wind turbines?
A. Most small turbines have very few moving parts and do not require any regular maintenance. They are designed for a long life (up to 20 years) and operate completely automatically.
Q. How do I know if I have enough wind?
A. For most residential systems, the cost of taking wind measurements is not justified. Wind resource data published by the U.S. Department of Energy is sufficient for an experienced evaluator to predict wind turbine performance. In very hilly or mountainous areas, however, it may be best to collect wind data before purchasing a system to ensure that your site is not in a sheltered area. A system designer can help determine if your site is suitable for a wind turbine.
Q. Do wind turbines make noise or interfere with TV reception?
A. Small wind turbines do make some noise, but not enough to be found objectionable by most people. A typical residential wind system makes less noise than the average washing machine. Wind turbines do not interfere with TV reception.
Q. Will my utility allow me to hook up a wind generator?
A. Federal regulations (specifically, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA) require utilities to connect with and purchase power from small (less than 80 MW) wind energy systems. A wind turbine dealer can help you arrange the required utility company approvals.
Q. What about towers?
A. An 80- to 120-foot tower is usually supplied along with the wind turbine. Towers this tall are necessary to raise the wind turbine above turbulence generated by obstacles on the ground and trees. Wind velocity- and therefore wind turbine performance - increases with altitude. Several different types of towers are available, depending upon which manufacturer you select. Each type has its advantages; the most economical type of tower is the guyed-lattice tower, but a hinged tower may be easier for you to install yourself and provides easier access for maintenance.