Small Wind

Small-scale wind turbines up to 50 kilowatts in capacity (manufacturer's maximum rating) are typically deployed as single turbine installation providing electrical energy directly to homes, small businesses, farms, telecommunications dishes, or water pumps. These may be configured to feed directly to the end user of the electrical energy and may be able to take advantage of net metering laws allowing wind generation in excess of on-site load to be sold back to the local utility under certain conditions in each New England state. They may also supply off-the-grid, remote use. Small turbines are sometimes used in connection with diesel generators, batteries, and photovoltaic systems. These systems are called hybrid wind systems and are typically used in remote, off-grid locations where a connection to the utility grid is not available.

While the general technology and concepts are the same, small wind differs from larger, commercial wind farms in terms of economics and siting. The cost of energy of small wind is generally greater than from a larger wind facility or purchasing wind energy from the market. Nevertheless, small wind can become cost effective when sited appropriately and when directly displacing retail electricity. Specific on-site reliability and back-up needs may further improve the economics. Small wind, like on-site solar, can provide satisfaction to end users who produce their own energy.

Siting issues will need to be addressed up front in any small wind installation. Local and state codes will dictate the level of public comment, setback, tower height restrictions, and other requirements.

General Information on Small Wind

• Small Wind Turbines

  U.S. DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web site provides tools and information to help you evaluate small wind turbines for your home or small business.

• Building a Market for Small Wind: The Break-Even Turnkey Cost of Residential Wind Systems in the United States (PDF 146 KB) Download Adobe Reader

  Edwards, J.L., Wiser,R. , Bolinger, M., and Forsyth, T. Presented at Global Windpower, Chicago, Illinois. LBNL-54865. March 2004. A study on the economics of residential-scale wind systems.

• Evaluating State Markets for Residential Wind Systems: Results from an Economic and Policy Analysis Tool (PDF 812 KB) Download Adobe Reader

  Edwards, J., Wiser, R., and Bolinger, M. LBNL-56344. December 2004.

• National Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

  Lists incentives for small wind systems.

• Small Wind Events and Newsletter

  The Interstate Renewable Energy Council maintains a calendar specifically for small wind events and publishes a quarterly Small Wind Newsletter

Small Wind Economic Model

The Small Wind Economic Model is a spreadsheet tool that can help you analyze the economics of a small wind electric system and decide whether wind energy will work for you (MS Excel 102 KB).

Zoning for Small Wind Webinars

This Webinar series is hosted by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Small Wind Division. It offers interested small wind installers, potential buyers, advocates, decision makers, and others the opportunity to learn about issues related to the zoning of small wind systems (up to 100 kW).

• Introduction to Zoning For Small Wind (PDF 420 KB and PDF 1.3 MB)

  Presented at the ASES Small Wind Division Webinar, January 17, 2008.

  If you would like a copy of the combined audio and visual presentation, please contact Corrie Christol.

• The Importance of Tower Height (PDF 592 KB)

  Presented at the ASES Small Wind Division Webinar, March 4, 2008.

News, Publications, and Web Resources

Total of 45 records found.
Page 1 of 5, Sorted by descending date
Filtered by: Small Wind

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Date	State	Type of Information	Program Area	Title	More Details
3/24/2010		Audio News	Agricultural Small Wind Public Power Econ. Dev. Policy	Community Wind Has Big Role in Nation's 20% Wind Vision	...more
1/14/2010		Audio News	Agricultural Small Wind Public Power	Existing Government Policies Spur Wind Power Development	...more
10/31/2009		Publication	Small Wind Policy	Connecting to the Grid: A Guide to Distributed Generation Interconnection Issues	...more
9/30/2008	NH	Publication	Small Wind Policy	Small Wind Technical Bulletin	...more
1/17/2008	ME	Publication News	Small Wind	Federal Grant Fully Funds Small Turbine Installation at Maine Senior Housing Complex	...more
11/30/2007		Publication	Small Wind	Distributed Wind Market Applications	...more
9/12/2007		Publication	Small Wind	Small Wind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consumer's Guide	...more
8/30/2007	ME	Publication	Small Wind	Small Wind Electric Systems: A Maine Consumer's Guide	...more
7/31/2007		Publication	Small Wind Policy	Connecting to the Grid Guide	...more
7/23/2007		News	Small Wind	Small Wind Turbine Certification Organization to be Created	...more

List of Installers and Vendors

• Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Sustainable Yellow Pages

  Find information about a wide range of people and organizations who offer environmentally-friendly products and services to people in the northeastern United States (New England and the Mid-Atlantic States). The sustainable yellow pages especially emphasize quality building practices, energy services, and sustainable transportation.

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