Investment

A modern, medium size wind turbine capable of producing a substantial portion of your household energy requires a significant investment. In considering the purchase, WES advises that you consider a number of key economic factors.

Your annual electricity usage, the price charged by your utility company per kWh and the estimated annual increase in electricity price all need to be considered to enable you to gauge likely future costs of providing the electricity you need without a turbine.

You should then obtain a proper survey of the wind resource at your location so you can judge whether it is adequate to produce a viable yield from a turbine.

In terms of the turbine itself, it’s vital to compare all suitable models in the marketplace, and to make a selection based on both specification and a purchase price that falls in line with your projected savings or generated income.

Don’t forget to include in your calculations the costs of permitting and installation, and of ongoing repair and maintenance. You must also establish whether net metering is available in your area, so that you can be credited for net surplus electricity you generate.