If you did install a wind turbine to meet all your electricity needs, do you think they would make any financial sense? Well, they do only if you are willing to wait a good 11 years for payback. No instant gratification here!
Now, what is a wind turbine? A machine that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy, which is further converted into electricity, is known as a wind turbine.
Also, please do remember that in order to make the wind turbine fully functional, you will need to live in an area with wind that averages 10 miles per hour or more (the wind map of your area, will help you out with this bit of information).
If you are really interested, you could try installing the Skystream 3.7 wind turbine, which is a fully integrated, utility-connected wind generator which is specially designed for residential homes. At $8,500 to purchase and install, the Skystream is definitely not cheap, but then this is just a one time cost. In fact in some places due to the escalation in installation charges the total package may even go up to $12,000!
You must be wondering after all this expense, how much can you really save? Let’s say for example your local rate for a kilowatt hour is $0.10. If your turbine even works for at half-capacity and generates 650 kilowatt hours a month. Thus, the turbine saves $65 per month on your energy bill. You may also end up getting state tax benefit for installing an eco-friendly device!
So, if you are seriously thinking about going ‘green’, the wind turbine is definitely meant for you. Think about it, is good for the environment and good for your wallet too!
