900 watt turbine with 7 ft blade diameter
| Scritchlow & Roediger |
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What can small wind turbines do for me?
Small wind turbines much like the solar PV systems can be used as
an on or off grid system. The off grid system is designed to provide all
your electric needs and requires a battery bank for those times when
the wind is not blowing. The grid tied systems can be designed to
either offset some of the cost of your electric bills or to produce more
than your usage turning the electric meter backwards and requiring
the utility company to pay you for the excess electricity you generate.
What kind of government tax breaks and programs are available?
There is a 30% of cost tax credit supplied to consumers by the federal
government. The old limit of $4,000 was recently removed by The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
How much will wind power cost me?
The average cost of wind power in Illinois as stated by the Department
of Energy is 3,000-5,000 dollars per Kilowatt. A system rated at 1 KW
will produce around 100 KwH per month with an average wind speed
of 12 mph. The average wind speed annually in this area is around
10 mph at a 30' height. The wind power available goes up
exponentially with increase in tower height. The most cost effective
tower turbine combination is an 150' tower with a 10kw turbine. This
will provide an estimated payback period in the central Illinois area of
14-18 years with an estimated turbine life of 30 years when properly
maintained. This type of a system completely installed will cost
around $60,000 before any state or federal tax incentives.
Who is wind power most feasible for and why?
Wind energy is currently most feasible for larger systems (10kw or
greater) which would be a good fit for farmers or rural small
businesses. This is because people who are in rural areas with
more room are capable of putting up taller towers tapping into the
much higher winds providing a more potent energy source. There is a
much larger return on investment putting in a taller tower than there is
in using a larger turbine.
Small wind turbines much like the solar PV systems can be used as
an on or off grid system. The off grid system is designed to provide all
your electric needs and requires a battery bank for those times when
the wind is not blowing. The grid tied systems can be designed to
either offset some of the cost of your electric bills or to produce more
than your usage turning the electric meter backwards and requiring
the utility company to pay you for the excess electricity you generate.
What kind of government tax breaks and programs are available?
There is a 30% of cost tax credit supplied to consumers by the federal
government. The old limit of $4,000 was recently removed by The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
How much will wind power cost me?
The average cost of wind power in Illinois as stated by the Department
of Energy is 3,000-5,000 dollars per Kilowatt. A system rated at 1 KW
will produce around 100 KwH per month with an average wind speed
of 12 mph. The average wind speed annually in this area is around
10 mph at a 30' height. The wind power available goes up
exponentially with increase in tower height. The most cost effective
tower turbine combination is an 150' tower with a 10kw turbine. This
will provide an estimated payback period in the central Illinois area of
14-18 years with an estimated turbine life of 30 years when properly
maintained. This type of a system completely installed will cost
around $60,000 before any state or federal tax incentives.
Who is wind power most feasible for and why?
Wind energy is currently most feasible for larger systems (10kw or
greater) which would be a good fit for farmers or rural small
businesses. This is because people who are in rural areas with
more room are capable of putting up taller towers tapping into the
much higher winds providing a more potent energy source. There is a
much larger return on investment putting in a taller tower than there is
in using a larger turbine.
| Wind, Solar, and Conservation Technologies |