A financial fix for wind turbine outlay

The Helix S322 vertical wind turbine is designed for urban spaces.

(Credit: Helix Wind)

While wind turbines save money on power in the long term, the initial outlay for buying and installing one can be prohibitive to many homeowners even if they live in a state that offers generous rebates.

Helix Wind makes relatively small vertical-axis wind turbines that can generate electricity with winds as low as 10 mph. These small-scale wind turbines are designed for residential and small-business owners looking for microgeneration.

It may be a classic business model that helps potential customers fund this new technology.

Helix Wind has partnered with Atoll Financial Group, a financial services company based in Washington, D.C., to offer loans for its small wind turbines. It's similar to car manufacturers with a financing arm for auto loans or furniture stores that offer financing for a dining room set.

The financing packages offered in conjunction with Atoll will vary by market, country, and type of customer, according to Helix Wind CEO Ian Gardner.

"We conduct an extensive fact-finding process with potential customers to determine the best solution for their particular set of financial and resource conditions," Gardner said in an e-mail.

The plan will also include financing to enable distributors to carry more inventory thereby decreasing the time it takes to meet customer orders, according to Helix Wind.

Because the small wind turbine systems can be configured to for either residential and commercial properties, the systems range widely in price--between $4,500 to $250,000. But the company's Web site does offer some guidelines in terms of initial outlay.

"A 5-kW (kilowatt) grid-connected residential-scale system generally costs ($20,000) to 25,000 to install. The best candidates for these systems are homes and businesses with at least a half acre of property, a Class 3 or better wind resource, and utility bills averaging $150 per month or more," according to Helix Wind.

[bj1126]

You mean something that doesn't heavily depend on tax payer subsidies?! I'm shocked and encouraged. I hope they are wildly successful with this.

[texaslabrat]

While the theory sounds good...in truth it's not so much about outlay than it is the fact that small, residential wind turbines typically cost so much in relation to their power output. When you are looking at a pay-back period of 20-30 years on a *mechanical device* (that will likely need to be repaired/replaced periodically due to normal wear-and-tear)...realistically you are going to be lucky to break even. The prices on these things need to fall *drastically* to be considered in any sane "green" residential strategy. Wind power generation is all about scale at the moment...go big or go home.

[utopiabacklinks]

The natural resources should be exploited to the fullest. I would love this world to be using it to reduce pollution.

[CNET editors' note: Promotional link removed]

[Eli114]

sorry but this is a total waste of money, materials, and pollution to manufacture it. Wind turbines are today the most effective way to save money (in many markets less than oil or natural gas) and reduce pollution but they need:
1) proper scale - at least 250 feet or better tower and at least 1.5 MW turbine
2) proper site - at least 6.5 m/s of better
Small turbines close to the ground or near buildings does not help reduce pollution.