Top Five Micro Wind Turbines
They have been around for centuries, but they are quickly becoming the darlings of the eco-friendlies and clean energy nuts. Windmills, or in this case, wind energy generators, come in all shapes and sizes.
But in actuality, how feasible and cost-effective would it be for you to integrate a small wind system at your home, cabin, or camp? It might be easier than you might think. And if the small-wind tax credit somehow holds onto its tenuous place in the farm bill, it might just be cost-effective for you to invest one that can help defray, or even eliminate your monthly electricity bill.
The economics will be different for everyone, so I am not necessarily encouraging you all to run out and buy a micro wind turbine. I will also warn you that interconnection laws vary by country, state, province, municipality, etc. So, before spending ANY money on one of these gizmos, be certain that you have an adequate wind resource, and if you are planning on connecting to the grid, that you understand the interconnection standards that apply.
Please use this information with caution: you must not cloud your judgment with mental images of backward-spinning electric meters and negative utility bills. While this is possible, you don’t want to spend all of your hard-earned money on a micro turbine that your local HOA, planning board, or zoning commission never lets you put up.
>>See: Small Wind Front and Center at Obama Inauguration
I should also note that while vertical axis wind-turbines may be the wave of the future for small-wind (especially in urban settings), there are lots of companies making big claims about their products right now, and I am not comfortable with my own knowledge of the products to include them in this listing.
1. Southwest Windpower Skystream 3.7
The Skystream 3.7 is the first fully-integrated, grid-tied wind energy system designed for residential use. This “plug and play” turbine is an all-inclusive wind generator (with controls and inverter built in) designed to provide quiet, clean electricity in very low winds.
Unlike many other turbines, the Skystream 3.7 will turn downwind because it has no tail rudder to keep it facing into the wind.
Cost*: $5399 (not including tower and installation materials)
Rated Capacity: 1.9 kW continuous output, 2.6 kW peak
Startup Windspeed:8mph
Rotor: 12 feet (3.72 m); 50-325 RPM
Interconnection: Utility connected or battery charging
Alternator: Gearless, permanent magnet brushless
Voltage Output: 240 VAC (Optional 208 VAC)
Estimated Energy Production: 400 kw per month @ 12 MPH (5.4 m/s)
(Continued on page 2)
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April 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Great and informative article. I live in Buffalo, NY and we have, as a community, a desire to start manufacturing wind devices. We have (unfortunately) plent of empty manufacturing space, and different modes of transportation for finished product, even the very large ones. But for some silly reason we can’t get local government to buy off on it. Someday you may read about Buffalo as a mjor contributor to the manufacturing of wind energy devices.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Joe- I hope I do!
April 27th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Check http://www.allsmallwindturbines.com for a (almost) compleet overview of small wind turbines
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I wish I knew how to install that $600 one! That is something I could actually afford.
June 25th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Nit-picking, sort of – items number 1 and 2 list their energy generation in units of kw per month, which doesn’t make any sense. I’m assuming you really meant kWh per month?
July 13th, 2008 at 9:14 am
it’s about time that the us and the rest of the world got there head out of there ass and looked at something else we are not the last generation to be left on earth.
wally
August 8th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I am unclear why these turbines (except the vertical) have such small blades. Don’t you want a larger blade to collect more wind? Same reasoning that would follow for a sailboat…
Thanks. Tracy
October 5th, 2008 at 7:14 am
A great article and very informative. I am keen in using renewable energy at my farm for an irrigation project and would like to explore the affordable “Southwest Windpower Air X” system.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Great article, one of the best I’ve seen reviewing micro wind turbines. I actually built my own turbine, but if I had the money I think I would go with the Skystream 3.7
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
The Whisper 500 seems to have a spec that is way off (by the manufacturers own data). You list it as:
Estimated Energy Production: 1500 KWh/month @12.5mph
They list it as:
Kilowatt Hours/Month: 538 kWh/mo at 12 mph (5.4 m/s)
This seems a lot more realistic. (I wish it were the one you have!)
February 10th, 2009 at 4:43 am
What about the larger blades on the turbins?
would it b better or would it cause to rotate slower?
and what size of power out put would I need to help out
on my electric bill?
April 25th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I guess I should have read the comments first – You are right Todd Cesere – the spec given in the article is off by 3 times.
Timothy – I am actually surprised at the other accurate numbers though. Usually the rated power is given with no explanation which makes the outputs looks unrealistically very much higher.
About the AVX1000 – The only unit not on a tower – I seriously doubt the output – there is no way for it to be believable without independent testing. None of the reputable suppliers make any such claims for rooftop units.
April 25th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
1. Southwest Windpower Skystream 3.7 at 400 kWh/month and 10 cents per unit returns 480.00 USD per year for an investment of 5,400 USD plus tower
2. Southwest Windpower Air X at 38 kWh/month and 10 cents – return of 45 USD per year – investment of 600 USD plus tower – a roof top unit but probably rated correctly
3. AeroVironment Architectural Wind – no output and no return without independent confirmation – the specs given on their site are nothing
4. Southwest Windpower Whisper 500 – 500 kWh/month and 10 cents – return of 600 USD per year – investment of 7.100 USD plus tower
5. Bergey Excel – 1500 kWh/month and 10 cents – return of 1,800 USD – investment of 22,000 USD plus
Attractive to you and I am not sure that is all the costs.
Commercial wind – OK it fits but residential wind is not there.
June 8th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
If you’re intending on buying a Skystream 3.7, you’d better do your research on the product. I’m running across a LOT of information from numerous buyers who are NOT satisfied with their approx. $12K investment. Poor unit design, atrocious customer service, and lack of timely shipping on replacement parts are high among the list of complaints against the producer. I was seriously considering on buying one of these units until my research into the product started yielding too many customer complaints about several defects, too much downtime due to electronics failures, delamination of blades, etc.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
non capisco perchè cleantechnica non da la possibilità di contatare il costruttore o l’inventore per poter fare
business
June 28th, 2009 at 6:25 am
There are numerous problems with Skystream. You should check this website:
http://www.windenergytruth.com
Educate yourself before you fall victim to this defect-riddled product. It will never pay for itself and the problems with it are numerous.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 am
@Charles – “what size of power out put would I need to help out on my electric bill?”
Look at your bill: see how many kwh per month your usage is now. Then see what the manufacturer lists as the expected kwh per month that each size generates.
You can decide how much of your total usage you want to offset with a turbine.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Very inspiring article. Helpful for everyone looking for a reliable micro wind turbine. Thanks.
December 13th, 2009 at 11:20 am
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January 10th, 2010 at 5:11 am
Hi. I noticed that the Proven turbine is not included in the list. Is there a reason for this?
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:37 am
The most important thing I like about wind turbine is it can produce an alternative energy and also eco-friendly. Thanks to share the information, really nice post!
February 25th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
My wife and I recently bought a home in the Fort Meyers area and were seriously considering the Skystream. As it turns out, installing solar requires jumping through far fewer hoops than a wind system and it is the Sunshine State after all.
Anyway, while doing our research we came across an article dealing with the payback period for a Skystream that should be helpful. It’s on this website: http://www.alternative-heating-info.com
Good luck.