How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint By Installing Small Wind Turbines On Your Property

Installing small wind turbines on your property can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to do it right.

What Are Small Wind Turbines?

Small wind turbines, or wind turbines designed for residential, farm, or small business applications are turbines with rated capacities of 100 kilowatts (kW) or less.

These turbines are used to generate electricity in locations that are not connected to the utility grid (off-grid applications) or to reduce consumption of utility-supplied electricity for grid-connected applications.

Unlike large commercial wind turbines that you might see in wind farms, small wind turbines are decentralized sources of clean, renewable energy. They allow homeowners, farms, and businesses to offset their electricity consumption and reduce their carbon footprint.

Benefits of Installing a Small Wind Turbine

Installing a small wind turbine on your property provides several benefits:

• Reduces your carbon footprint - Small wind turbines generate clean, renewable electricity on-site to offset your consumption of fossil fuel-based utility power. This reduces the carbon emissions associated with your electricity use.

• Reduces electricity bills - In grid-connected systems, the electricity generated by the wind turbine displaces electricity that would otherwise have to be purchased from the utility company at retail prices. This provides a hedge against rising energy costs.

• Works anywhere - Small wind turbines can be installed at homes, farms, and businesses across the country - you don't need to live in the windiest locations to benefit.

• Provides energy security - Systems with on-site wind generation reduce reliance on the utility grid. In remote locations, they can eliminate the high costs of extending utility lines.

Factors to Consider Before Installing a Small Wind Turbine

While small wind turbines provide many benefits, there are some key factors to research and evaluate before proceeding:

Wind Resource

• The wind resource available at your site will determine how much electricity a wind turbine can generate. The best sites will have average annual wind speeds of at least 10 mph.

• You can get a general idea of wind speeds in your area by looking at wind resource maps and talking to neighbors, but a full wind assessment is recommended.

Turbine Siting

• For maximum wind exposure, small wind turbines are typically installed on towers 20-140 ft tall. Local zoning laws must be reviewed for height restrictions.

• The turbine should be sited upwind of buildings and trees that could obstruct wind flow. As a rule of thumb, the tower height should be at least 30 ft above any obstacle within 500 ft.

Turbine Size

• The size of the wind turbine (rated power output) should match the wind resource, the area's electricity loads, and the site's tower height. Work with a small wind dealer to properly size your system.

• While larger turbines generate more power, the increased rotor diameter also requires faster minimum wind speeds for operation.

Costs

• A new small wind turbine system with professional installation can cost $20,000 to $100,000, depending on turbine size, tower height, and location.

• Various federal, state, and local incentives are available to offset costs. The turbine will also generate ongoing electricity cost savings.

Permitting

• Small wind projects require proper permitting and approvals for issues like structural, electrical, environmental impacts. Work closely with local authorities.

Maintenance

• Like any complex electromechanical system, small wind turbines require occasional maintenance and part replacement. Accessibility and weather resistance are key considerations.

How to Size Your Small Wind Turbine

Determining the appropriate size of small wind turbine for your site involves matching the rated power output to your location's wind speeds, the area's electricity demand, and the tower height:

• Survey your site's average annual wind speeds at different heights. Generally, each 1 mph increase in wind speed increases energy production by 3 to 5%.

• Review historical electricity usage patterns and future needs at the site. Size your wind turbine to match a substantial portion of this load.

• The turbine should be mounted on a tower tall enough to access higher wind speeds unobstructed. As a rule of thumb, the tower height should be at least 30 ft taller than anything within 500 ft.

• Use the wind resource and tower height data to help your wind dealer properly size the wind turbine. Larger turbines require higher winds for efficient operation.

Proper system sizing will maximize your wind turbine's energy production and financial returns. Consult experts to match the turbine to your local conditions.

Key Steps to Installing a Small Wind Turbine

Once you've evaluated your site and selected the proper wind turbine model, the installation process involves:

1. Siting

• Select the precise turbine location considering factors like wind flow obstacles, access roads, zoning setbacks, soil conditions, and any environmental sensitivities.

2. Project Permits

• File applications and secure permits for building codes, electrical interconnect, environmental regulations, aviation rules, and any other relevant laws.

3. Foundation Preparation

• Based on soil conditions and turbine loads, excavate and pour a reinforced concrete wind turbine foundation.

4. Tower Assembly

• Erect the wind turbine tower by stacking and bolting sections or using a tilt-up process. Follow manufacturer specifications closely.

5. Turbine Installation

• Using a crane, carefully mount the turbine assembly onto the top of the tower and bolt it into place.

6. Electrical Connections

• Run electrical cables from the turbine down the tower into your breaker panel or batteries. Confirm proper grounding.

7. Commissioning

• With utility approval if grid-tied, test the turbine operation, controls, monitoring systems, and feeds into your electrical system.

8. Ongoing Maintenance

• Perform periodic maintenance on the turbine per the manufacturer's schedule to sustain energy production and warranty compliance.

Proper installation is crucial to maximizing performance and longevity from your small wind turbine. Work closely with qualified wind and construction experts.

Conclusion

Installing a properly-sized small wind turbine on your property is an impactful way to reduce your carbon footprint by generating local renewable energy. By displacing carbon-intensive utility electricity use, small wind systems provide clean energy along with energy bill savings and energy security. With careful planning and execution, small wind turbines offer a smart carbon reduction investment.