October 2010

• Introduction
• What is your goal?
• Fully factor in your location
• Wind power resources
• Download the full article as a

Introduction

More and more people are attracted to the idea of generating their own electric power, and small wind turbines are one of the choices for “backyard” renewable energy systems.

The most popular residential-scale wind turbines can generate 2 to 10 kilowatts of power—about one-third to one-half of what a typical home needs. In recent years, small wind turbines have become more reliable and, to a degree, prices have come down. More dealers are offering better choices, and more experienced installers are available.

But careful study and your co-op’s assistance can ensure you know the facts before buying one. It’s also important to keep in mind it is always more cost effective to make your home more energy efficient than it is to install renewable energy. Adding insulation, installing high efficiency heating and cooling equipment and sealing ductwork are good examples of measures that should be undertaken prior to installing any renewable resources. These improvements will often save much more energy than renewable energy systems would generate and cost much less.

Whether or not installing a wind turbine at your home is a good idea also depends on two big factors: your goal and location.