Rural household wind power generation system

Does residential wind power make sense?

Residential wind power can make sense for certain homeowners, under very specific conditions. Why trust EnergySage? As subject matter experts, we provide only objective information. We design every article to provide you with deeply-researched, factual, useful information so that you can make informed home electrification and financial decisions.

Can small wind power a home?

However, small wind can be a viable option to power a home under certain circumstances. In limited cases, it may even be economically preferable to solar power. And even when it’s not, some people just really like the idea of a big wind turbine spinning on their property.

Does residential wind work?

Residential wind is quite rare, because it only has a chance to work at properties that meet basic conditions. In short, the property must be windy, it should be rural, and it ought to use a lot of power. To state the obvious, you won’t have much success with wind power if you don’t live somewhere with an adequate amount of wind.

Is residential wind power right for You?

Let’s make one thing clear right from the outset: Residential wind power is not for everybody. It’s not even for many people. Small, residential wind is a decidedly niche market, limited not only by the forces of geography and land use but also the availability of affordable solar power. Don’t just take our word for it.

How much does a small wind power system cost?

One commonly cited number from the American Wind Energy Association pegs the cost of small wind at between $3,000 and $5,000 for every kilowatt of generating capacity, meaning costs could range from as low as $15,000 for a smaller five kilowatt setup to $75,000 for a larger 15 kilowatt system.

How do high winds affect rural electrification?

High winds offer high energy yields, but also greatly increase wear on SWTs, meaning that only the most robust machines survive. The lower initial purchase costs of less robust machines can lure rural electrification programme designers into a false economy, as maintenance costs can quickly spiral out of control after the first big storm hits.