With more people showing interest in energy efficiency -- particularly renewable energy -- wind turbines are popping up to supply electricity to homes, businesses and even communities.

But unlike the options of purchasing a hybrid car or installing solar panels, wind energy is not viable for everyone.

Brian Antonich, the small wind program analyst with Windustry, a nonprofit organization working to increase wind energy opportunities for community groups, is often the first contact for people interested in installing wind turbines. For those with little knowledge of the systems, he says he starts by asking about the individuals' motivations to install a turbine.

"Everyone wants a wind turbine, but why do you want it?" Antonich said. "People are really about this stuff because people are concerned with the environment and rising energy costs, as well as becoming more conscious about where their energy comes from -- whether it's produced domestically or overseas -- and they're looking at renewable energy as the homegrown alternative to how we've done things in the past."

He said he hears many reasons, including that the interested party likes to tinker with machines or wants to be energy independent; it's good for the environment; and -- for some people --it makes economic sense.

Location, Location, Location

There are no hard-and-fast rules about whether a wind energy project will work in a specific spot for a particular individual.

Each situation needs to be evaluated, Antonich said, and the first factor to look at is location.

"People call up and ask if they can put a wind turbine in their back yard," Antonich said. " I always say, 'Maybe. Where's your back yard?'"

When considering location, both the lot size and the amount of wind the area gets are important. Antonich said he recommends a lot size of at least one-quarter to one-half acre because most municipalities have setback requirements, and that amount of space allows flexibility to place the turbine in the optimal wind-harnessing place.

"If you don't have wind, it's like putting solar panels up in the shade," he said.

Using wind resource maps such as the ones that can be found on the Wind Powering America initiative's Web site can give a rough idea if pursuing the installation of a wind turbine is worthwhile.

Difficult For Some

Installing a wind turbine in the city can be difficult. Because of the close proximity of homes in urban and many suburban areas, the roof lines create turbulence, which doesn't produce energy as well as a straight-line wind.

Antonich said people have asked if they could attach a turbine to the top of their homes -- something he strongly recommends against. Turbines attached to structures that were not designed as a turbine foundation usually shake apart over time. Additionally, the vibrations translate into sound -- and can be unbearably noisy for those in the home below.

Next, Antonich said he revisits his clients' motivations. If making money is the inspiring factor, he typically discourages pursuing a turbine project.

"I view investing in a small wind system similar to buying a Prius versus keeping your Ford Explorer," Antonich said. "You're not generating money, but you will see savings."

But there is an exception. He said for those who are still connected to the electrical grid, the turbine owner may receive a small check if extra electricity is generated, but it's not going to be a money-making venture.

Each community has different regulations regarding building on property. Because of the lack of exposure at this point, some towns, cities and counties may not even have a zoning process in place for wind turbines. Either way, obtaining permits is likely to take some time and should be done before purchasing a machine, Antonich said.

"Figure out what kind of hoops you have to jump through," he said. "If they don't have hoops established, work with them."

He further suggested educating the governing body before any public hearings so that the hearing itself is just a formality.

Spend Now, Save Later

Considering the initial costs that go into installing a turbine, Antonich suggests hiring an installer to do a site assessment to find the right location and choose the right turbine. He said it's important to get multiple quotes.

"A few hundred dollars upfront might save a lot and mean the difference in payback of many, many years," he said.

Wind turbines come in different shapes and sizes, and the installer can help figure out which one to choose. The smallest turbine on the market is a 400-watt system. Given a decent wind resource, it produces enough energy on average to light a 100-watt light bulb for a year. This size of system is often used, for example, on a boat to charge a battery. A 10-kilowatt system, on the other hand, produces enough energy on average to supply a typical single-family home.

A 10-kilowatt system will run between $40,000 and $60,000 to install, including the cost of the foundation, tower and fees. Windustry offers a project calculator for individual circumstances.

Antonich said it's important to remember that the bigger the system, the higher the initial costs, but the quicker the payback.

However, if economics are a concern, there are some ways to obtain a system while shaving costs.

“Put some sweat equity in to decrease costs. Usually the installer will work with you,” Antonich said.

There is some basic manual labor that is necessary, and routine maintenance is also something that, instead of hiring someone to complete, can be done by the turbine owner.

“Oftentimes it’s just climbing to the top of the tower and checking bolts, checking for stress fractures,” Antonich said.

In addition, there are both private and public grants, tax credits and low-interest loans available for wind energy projects. A wide-ranging list can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency and through individual states' departments of commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and various nonprofit agencies.

Wind Isn't Only Option
Antonich said that while Windustry wants to encourage the use of wind turbines to produce renewable energy, it also promotes responsible installation and realizes that wind energy is not for everyone.

"They're great things for some people -- when it makes sense," Antonich said.

That doesn't mean that those who are not candidates for wind energy systems can't reduce their electricity usage and promote wind energy in other locales.

"Any easy way to invest -- with a lot quicker payoff -- is to invest in energy-efficient appliances. Get rid of the old clunky refrigerator and look for the ENERGY STAR symbol," he said. "And don't just plug it in in the basement. Now you're just drawing even more electricity."

He also encourages people to talk to their legislators because, Antonich said, when public funds back energy initiatives, wind and other renewable energy systems will become more prevalent.

"What's driving all this new renewable energy development is public policy, and people need to be plugged into the process and be conscious about what's going on," he said. "Particularly, people need to be talking to their representatives and let them know that this is a priority."

Additional Resources:

"Small Wind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consumer's Guide" published by the U.S. Department of Energy
Farm Bill 2002
Small Wind Toolbox from RENEW Wisconsin