Small Wind Electric Systems

The following is a brief summary by Nick of Indiana's Consumer Guide for wind systems:

Wind electric systems are not only for the big businesses and important companies; they are also for the average homeowner. If a home is sitting on land that has enough empty cleared space and wind speed, then installing a wind electric system could possible to the best option for their energy needs. If it is unknown whether or not there is enough wind speed, U.S. Wind Resource Maps is a valuable tool. The cost of installing the system depends on the height of the tower and the diameter of the rotor blade. Also, a general rule of thumb is that the wind tower will cost anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 dollars per kilowatt on initial installation. It is recommended that a wind electric system be installed by a company that specializes in it. This is not something that should be attempted without an expertise in electricity and manufacturing. For a home wind electric system, it is suggested to use a guyed system. There are three different types of guyed systems: balance, stand-alone, and grid-connected. All three have their own benefits and it is something that a home owner should look into before deciding to install a system.