Comments on: Small wind turbines blow out big sales

The American Wind Energy Associations sees rapid growth in small wind turbine marketplace but you need a stiff and steady breeze to get a good payback.

[Phil in MN]

Your ever so kind to the wind folk. The MA study found an average energy output of 27% for the 19 installations. NREL, National Renewable Energy Lab, has a test facility and provides testing to the AWEA Small Wind Standard test protocol. One system produced 168 kwh in over 4 mo of testing. It was pulled by the manufacturer from the test with statements about updates..... but you can still spend $X,000.00.

[terrylweb]

Phil is right about the poor performance of the smaller systems, especially the vertical axis ones. It isn't that they don't make electricity; it is that they don't make very much, very reliably. If you want to run a few lights and a radio in your remote cabin, it might make sense. If you want to run a typical household (or even an efficient one) you'll need a forest of them. Add to that the problems with some machines that fly apart sending pieces into the neighbor's yard, and well...
Conservation and efficiency first. Don't be suckered by promises based on hopes and dreams...

[tsport100]

You miss quoted from the report. It was 10,500 units sold not 1,000.

[maeckg]

It sounds so hardheaded to dismiss wind and solar power. While it is important to cut through the hype, some of the false promises by some installers are likely less than with other industries. Like was mentioned in the article, siting and scale is crucial for small wind installations. Still they are part of the solution; Traditional energy sources clearly have their own limitations and downsides.
Even if the electrcity generated is not large, the small wind turbines pay for themselves, produce clean energy without fuel, need little maintenance. The power production is local so reduces strin on power grid and allows growth in electricity use without the downsides of traditonal power. It creates business for local companies and jobs especially for the hard hit manufacturing workforce.It does it's part in, maybe not a lot at present time, but does help with decreasing dependence on foreign fuels.
Let those who can afford the investment get a good tax break: they are investing in their ownership of independent power production and overall infrastructure that can help us all. It is a backup and makes the whole system more robust. The small scale is actually an advantage because it allows a fine granularity of investment so power is generated in the amount needed where it is needed. It allows individuals to benefit themselves and gives freedom of choice. One might say: it give meaning to "power to the people".