Wind Power Systems

Sunlight, wind, and falling water are the big three renewable energy sources. These are energy sources that are commonly available at a reasonable cost. We’ve found in our years of experience that wind and hydro energy sources are most often best developed as a booster or bad weather helper for a solar-based system.

Hybrid systems—using wind or water combined with solar energy—have the advantage of being better able to cover power needs throughout the year, and are less expensive than a similar capacity system using only one power source. The only common exceptions are systems designed for utility intertie; they feed excess power back into the utility, and turn the meter backwards.

We generally advise that a good site for year-round wind turbine energy isn’t a place that you’d want to live! It takes average wind speeds of 8 to 9 mph and up, to make a really good resource for energy. That’s honestly more wind than most folks are comfortable living with.
This is where the beauty of hybrid systems comes in. Many very livable sites produce 8 mph or more during certain times of the year, or when storms are passing through, and this wind can be harnessed.
Tower height and location also make a big difference. Wind speeds average 50 to 60 percent higher at 100 feet compared to those found at ground level.
The cost of a wind power system includes the cost of the wind turbine itself, the tower, and its installation. The total cost of micro turbines can be as little as $500-$1,500 depending upon the tower used and its height. Bigger machines are more costly, but can be more cost-effective.

Excerpted from the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book, edited by Doug Pratt and executive editor John Schaeffer. Copyright (c) 1999, Real Goods. Reprinted by permsision of Chelsea Green Publishing Company and Real Goods.
Excerpted from Real Goods Solar Living Source Book, edited by Doug Pratt and executive editor John Schaeffer.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lewis C.

5:40PM PDT on Sep 7, 2012

I support the Clean Energy movement via the purchase of 100% wind RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) since I cannot afford solar panels or my own turbine for my home yet. Check this out! www.lewiscolon.cleannation.biz

September 7
send a green star

Ajla C.

2:23AM PDT on Sep 7, 2012

Interesantno,hvala

JL A.

8:53AM PDT on Jul 24, 2012

windy, dustbowl areas might profitably include more wind power--

July 24
send a green star

Donna H.

1:40PM PDT on Jun 29, 2012

Thanks for the info.

June 29
send a green star

Vicky B.

7:43AM PDT on Jun 29, 2012

thanks for sharing

7:42AM PDT on Jun 29, 2012

Tim C.

9:02AM PST on Feb 21, 2012

February 21
send a green star

Chad A.

6:10AM PST on Feb 20, 2012

We should all mount mini-turbines on our homes. The mass market would bring the prices down and standardization would make maintenance and repairs easily doable while offsetting some of our individual costs but a very large collective amount.