Q - How do wind turbines work?

 A - A wind turbine, which is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home’s electrical system.

In a normal residential application, a home is served simultaneously by the wind turbine and a local utility. If the wind speeds are below cut-in speed (7-10 mph) there will be no output from the turbine and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the house needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no batteries in a modern residential wind system.

Q - Will I have to change the wiring of my house?

 A - No, grid-tie converters can be connected to your existing power circuit. A wind turbine is easily retrofitted to virtually any home without the need to change any wiring or appliances. In most cases, the utility will install a second utility meter to measure how much surplus electricity it is purchasing from the turbine owner.

Q - Will I save money?

 A - Yes, if you purchase the right sized turbine and there is sufficient wind at your location - 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.

 Q - How much does a wind turbine cost?

 A - Smaller sized turbines cost $6,000 to $22,000 and larger sized turbines start at approximately $50,000 for a 20 Kilowatt system up to $200,000 for a 100 Kilowatt system.

 Q - What size turbine would I need for my home or business?

 A - Home electricity use is 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.