Wind Systems

Large-scale wind farms can be installed for about $1,000/kW. The cost of electricity produced from wind farms depends on the annual capacity factor, location/wind quality, maintenance costs, and installation costs, but typically range from 3 to 6 cents/kWh. These costs include the wind production federal tax credits of 1.7 cents/kWh for the first ten years of operation. The cost for small-scale wind turbines is higher.

A typical 10 kilowatt home wind turbine system will cost $25,000 - $35,000 to install. If placed in windy areas, it will produce between 10,000 to 18,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. Such a turbine has a blade diameter of about 20-25 feet and needs to sit on a tower about 100 feet tall. Homes sitting on a one-acre parcel could probably accommodate such a turbine, depending on local zoning restrictions.