subject: Wind Turbine Cost - How To Make Sense Out Of The Numbers [print this page] When you start out trying to understand your wind turbine cost picture, it can be a bit overwhelming. So much data out there - how do you make sense out of all the numbers the manufacturers give you?
There are three things you need in order to seriously consider before you dive into the costs themselves. Look into these three elements of your project and your success is assured:
* Where exactly on your property do you want to install your wind turbine? There are usually at least a couple locations that will work. But, you need to make sure the local permitting restrictions won't keep you from putting the wind device where you would like to put it. Many people have had success locating wind turbines on the roofs. However, you need to be careful when locating there. The wrong kind of wind turbine can put too much stress on the underlying substructure. That can cause you problems in the long run and it will be a lot more expensive than your wind turbine itself!
* Then, you need to understand if you have sufficient wind resources on your property to make this happen. You can take a high-level look by going to the government wind map and making sure your state in general has enough wind to support such a project. Usually need 9 mph or more to make it a no-brainer. Then, you need to take the time and look at the specific locations where you would like to put the wind turbine and determine if there is enough wind energy there to drive your device.
* Lastly, take the information the manufacturer gives you and look for several key pieces only. Is the kilowatt rating for the turbine enough and fit your wind condition? Also, what is the cut-in speed for the device? (That is the speed at which it starts making power.) There are also other considerations and the two key ones that you need to know to determine if you're in the right ballpark. It is wise when looking at a project like this to get some education upfront to understand wind turbine cost.
Since wind turbine cost can be so confusing, you need to understand what your options are. You can build the turbine entirely yourself or you can have someone else help you. Educational resources like Earth4Energy, which provides video training for someone wanting to build a wind turbine at home, can be an excellent way to get grounded in this process and see if it's really for you.
