How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint With Small Wind Turbines

Introduction

Reducing your carbon footprint is an important step in fighting climate change. Installing small wind turbines at your home or business is one impactful way to do this. Small wind turbines allow you to generate clean, renewable electricity and reduce your reliance on fossil fuel-generated power from the grid. In this article, I will provide an in-depth guide on using small wind turbines to shrink your carbon footprint.

What Are Small Wind Turbines?

Small wind turbines, sometimes called micro wind turbines, are wind energy systems designed for distributed electricity generation. Unlike large commercial wind farms, small wind turbines are systems installed at homes, farms, and businesses to offset electricity use.

The main components of a small wind turbine system are:

• Tower - Supports the turbine and rotor at the necessary height.
• Rotor - The blades that capture the kinetic energy of wind.
• Generator - Converts the rotational energy into electricity.
• Inverter - Converts the electricity from DC to AC for use in your home.

Small wind turbines typically range in size from 1 to 100 kilowatts (kW). For comparison, large commercial turbines are often 2-3 megawatts (2,000 - 3,000 kW). Small wind turbines can be grid-connected or off-grid.

Grid-Connected vs. Off-Grid

• Grid-connected - These systems are connected to the utility grid. They offset your electricity purchases from the utility. Excess electricity is sent back to the grid.

• Off-grid - These systems are stand-alone and not connected to the utility grid. All power generated is used on-site. Batteries store excess electricity. These are popular for remote sites.

How Small Wind Turbines Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Installing a small wind turbine reduces your carbon footprint in two key ways:

1. Displaces Grid Electricity

Small wind turbines generate clean, renewable electricity onsite to offset the fossil fuel-generated electricity you would otherwise purchase from the grid. The average American home uses about 10,000 kWh per year. A 5 kW turbine could generate 7,000 - 12,000 kWh annually, covering a large portion of your home's electricity needs with clean wind energy.

2. Avoids Grid Electricity Emissions

By generating your own renewable electricity, small wind turbines avoid the emissions associated with conventional grid electricity generation at fossil fuel power plants. The EPA estimates grid electricity produces 0.954 pounds of CO2e per kWh on average. So a 5 kW turbine could avoid 5,300 - 6,600 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Key Factors When Considering a Small Wind Turbine

Installing a small wind turbine is a significant investment. Before moving forward, several key factors should be evaluated:

Wind Resource

The wind resource, meaning the average wind speeds in your area, has a dramatic impact on performance. Most small turbines require average annual wind speeds of 10 mph (4.5 m/s) or greater to be viable. The higher the wind speeds, the greater the turbine's energy production.

Siting

Turbine siting is also critical. Turbines need to be sited up high enough to access stronger, less turbulent winds. The minimum tower height should be 20 feet (6 m) above any obstruction within 300 feet (91 m). Roof mounting is only practical for very small turbines.

Budget

A 5 kW grid-connected turbine system will typically cost $15,000 - $50,000 installed. Larger tower heights, battery backups, and off-grid operation increase costs. Available tax credits and incentives can offset 25-50% of costs.

Local Zoning

Check your local zoning laws and homeowners association rules regarding small wind turbines. Permitting and setback requirements vary. Noise and visual impacts to neighbors should also be considered.

How to Choose the Right Turbine Size

Your turbine size depends on your electricity needs, wind speeds, and siting. Follow these guidelines:

• For battery charging or off-grid use, start with 400 watts - 1 kW.

• For net metering to offset utility purchases, use 1 kW per 10,000 kWh of annual use.

• Check turbine power curves at your average wind speed. More swept rotor area is better in lower wind areas.

• Consider future electricity needs when sizing your system.

Top Manufacturers of Small Wind Turbines

There are a variety of reputable manufacturers producing small wind turbines suitable for homes and businesses:

• Bergey - Leading U.S. brand. Excellent technical support. Models from 1-10 kW.

• Urban Green Energy - Vertical axis turbines from 1-5 kW for more turbulent, lower wind sites.

• Southwest Windpower - One of the earliest manufacturers. Models from 400 W - 20 kW.

• Endurance Wind Power - Focused on larger grid-connected turbines up to 35 kW.

• Northern Power Systems - Provides refurbished turbines and spare parts.

When comparing brands, look at warranties, life expectancy, maintenance needs, sound levels, customer support, and safety certifications.

Key Considerations for Installing Your Turbine

Once you've selected the right turbine model, here are some key steps to take for installation:

Site Assessment

Have a qualified installer or engineer perform a detailed site assessment. They will evaluate your wind speeds, site layout, structural issues, zoning rules, utility interconnection, permitting needs, and electrical integration requirements.

Proper Siting

Ensure your tower meets the necessary height requirements and zoning setbacks. Place upwind and away from turbulent airflow around buildings and trees.

Strong Tower Foundation

The wind turbine tower foundation needs to handle immense forces. Soil studies help design the footing dimensions and anchor bolt layout.

Balance of System Components

For grid-tied systems, select UL-certified electrical components like circuit breakers, surge arrestors, disconnects, and wiring. Off-grid systems also require charge controllers and batteries.

Utility Notification & Net Metering

Contact your utility early in the process for grid-connected systems. Apply for net metering to get credit for excess generation.

Maintaining and Operating Your Small Wind Turbine

Once installed, small wind turbines require periodic maintenance and attention for optimal performance. Here are some tips:

• Inspect rotor blades, bolts, and equipment regularly for damage or wear.

• Lubricate turbine yaw drives and other rotating parts annually.

• Monitor power output and turbine behavior to catch problems early.

• Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule and procedures.

• Have turbines inspected annually by a wind technician.

• Take safety precautions like properly grounding equipment and shutting down during storms.

• Trim any new vegetation growth that may impact wind flow.

Take advantage of manufacturer warranties and support. Major component repairs or replacements may be needed after 10-20 years.

Conclusion

Installing a small wind turbine is an impactful way to reduce your carbon footprint by generating clean, renewable electricity at home or work. With proper siting and sizing based on your local wind speeds and energy needs, small wind turbines can offset a significant portion of your grid electricity usage and avoid the associated carbon emissions. Although there are costs involved, incentives and ongoing savings on utility bills improve the return on investment over time. By following expert installation and maintenance best practices, a small wind turbine can provide decades of sustainable energy production.