Thinking on a Home-Wind- Purchase?  Here's a few facts you need to know...

Home-Wind-Purchase

For a Home-Wind-Purchase, an acre of land is usually required if your system is a (10kW), and your wind turbine should be at least 30 feet (9M) in height above anything within 500 feet (153M) of the tower.  This usually means trees, clutter, and other buildings.  Another important step would be to find out if trees growing on your site, will not in time grow taller than your wind system.

Before you commit yourself to a purchase, when choosing your system make sure you are buying a machine that is appropriate for your intended use, and because wind systems come in different sizes and models with their applications and their costs make sure that you research and understand all of the associated expenses.

Zoning Bylaws and Site Location

Before investing in a wind system Zoning Bylaws must be researched, and you must find out from your local zoning officials what the requirements are.  For an example, find out if a building permit is needed and if there are any restrictions you should know about.

Also, before making a Home-Wind-Purchase another important step that must be done is the site location, this is crucial because nothing should interfere with the quality and proper wind velocity.

Prices

Prices vary, but here are some of the approximate costs which can change with time for some of these Wind Turbine Systems.

A (3kW) turbine on a 60 foot (18.46) tower installed is about $15,000 US. or more.

A(1kW) system can be used in stand-alone applications, or as an addition to an Hybrid/Solar system.  The purchase price can be around $6,000 US., more or less, and about $6,400 Can. installed, with prices likely to change.

The approximate price for a (10kW) wind system is around $60,000 US. installed, while a 400-Watt mini system used mostly for charging batteries costs $1,500 US., and $2,000 Can. installed, with probable fluctuating prices.

Communication is good Policy

Another need before making a Home-Wind-Purchase is communicating with your neighbors to let them know of your plans, and to reassure them that you have properly researched the wind project showing them that your system is safe and environment friendly.  Doing this would be good policy, and it would be very reassuring for you to know how they feel about your plans.

If you invest in good equipment, in a good design and installation, have good wind resources and a good site location, and you also have found out about your Zoning Bylaws, a Wind System can make good economic and environmental sense.  Also, a good thing to know is that as incentives, some Countries will give tax credits to home owners for small wind energy systems.

Many people in communities that care about their environment feel that wind turbine systems are the alternative answer for clean, pollution free energy.

For more information see Wind Issues and Wind Energy

See also Wind Turbines and Alternative Energies