There are many significant incentives to aid with the costs of wind energy.
The installation cost of a small wind turbine can be a barrier for many people who want to diversify their energy portfolios. Some states, as well as USDA’s REAP program, offer low interest loans for wind installations. DFA is working to identify vendors and resources that can assist in small wind installation and financing. For more information, contact DFA Energy.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, a small wind turbine can cost between $3,000 and $6,000 for every kilowatt of generating capacity. Because wind turbines have moving parts, they require routine maintenance every few years. In states that allow net-metering, grid-tied systems allow a user to sell wind-generated electricity to the grid at or above market prices.
Small wind turbines are wind-fueled generators of 100 kilowatts or less that turn kinetic energy into electric energy. Users of small wind turbines can generate their own power on-site, reducing their energy bills and dependence on the electricity grid and fossil fuels. Small wind turbines can power distributed structures (such as water pumps) or feed into the electricity grid.
Over the life of the system, small wind systems can generate significant financial returns, in addition to being a clean, reliable power source. Below is an example for a 10 kw BW Excel S/60 wind system
While the exact electricity output of a turbine depends on several factors, such as turbine model and wind speed, on average, a kilowatt of installed capacity generates between 1,200 – 1,600 kwh of electricity each year in Class 3 wind conditions (14.3 mph). The following chart provides a rough estimate of output and costs of small wind turbines.
| Name plate rating of system | Estimated output at a good site | Total installed cost (before any state or federal incentives) |
| 5 kW | 7,200 kWh/year | $48,000 |
| 10 kW | 10,700 kWh/year | $66,000 |
| 20 kW | 18,000 kWh/year | $74,000 |
| 35 kW | 76,000 kWh/year | $300,000 |
| 100 kW | 140,000 kWh/year | $550,000 |
Small wind turbines are different from utility-sized turbines in that they can be built in more locations and require less land. The power a small wind turbine generates still depends on the wind resource of a location. A turbine needs unrestricted wind access to function, which makes farms a more ideal location than cities. Use our tool to see if your property is right for wind power. The map below shows wind resource throughout the United States for small turbines.
