The American Wind Energy Association offers this information about wind turbines:

The American Wind Energy Association offers this information about wind turbines:

Small wind turbines are electric generators that use the energy of the wind to produce clean, emissions-free power for homes, farms and small businesses. Individuals can generate their own power and cut their energy bills while helping to protect the environment.

Unlike utility-scale turbines, small turbines can be suitable for use on properties as small as 1 acre in most areas of the country.

Generated electricity is measured in watts. On average, a typical American home would require a small turbine with a 5-kilowatt (kW) generating capacity to meet all its electricity needs. The exact size needed to power a home, however, can range from 2 kW to 10 kW based on a home’s energy use, average wind speeds, and the turbine’s height above ground, which affects its productivity.

The average height of a small wind turbine (of any capacity) is about 80 feet.

The length of the payback period depends on the turbine, the quality of wind at the installation site, prevailing electricity rates, and available financing and incentives. Depending on these and other factors, the time it takes to fully recover the cost of a small wind turbine can take anywhere from six to 30 years.

The purchase and installation of a system large enough to power an entire home costs, on average, $30,000, but the price can range from $10,000 to $70,000 depending on system size, height, and installation expenses. The federal government and many states have rebate or tax credit programs in place to encourage investment in wind (visit http://dsireusa.org).

For grid-connected systems, the user will not notice a difference when the wind is not blowing. The utility company provides electricity when the wind does not blow, and any extra electricity the turbine generates is sent back to the utility system to be used by a neighbor. Off-grid turbines store power in batteries for on-demand use and are often complemented by solar electric panels to provide more consistent generation.

ican Wind Energy Association has a toolbox of information on its Web site for people interested in installing a small wind system at www.awea.org/smallwind. Here you can find advice from an expert, some state-specific information about buying and installing a small wind turbine, success stories, technical information, and more.

For more information on SUREnergy of Sandusky, visit www.SUREnergy.us or call (888) 978-7674.

Other useful references include www.awea.org, American Wind Energy Association at www.ohiowind.org , and Ohio State Wind website at www.GreenEnergyOhio.org