I will admit it, I love windmills. From the old-fashioned Texan Aermotors to the sleek new towers I spot dotting hillsides like modern monoliths, they are some of the most romantic iconography I can imagine. But past my love for their looks, windmills could be the best way to cut back from the grid and save some bucks on your energy bill at the same time.
Whether you’re building a house or adding on to an older home, there are various factors to consider when calculating the cost of installing a wind turbine. Things like the size, number, the wind speed at the site, and the overall installation cost are all up-front costs, not to mention service agreements, miscellaneous fees, and the capacity of the turbine, but on the whole your turbine will probably cost upwards of $15,000, for starters.
A few examples of residential turbine models can help demonstrate costs, and help you decide if it’s the right decision for you. The Southwest Windpower Skystream 3.7 is a popular model for homes and small businesses. The cost of installation is anywhere between $12,000 and $18,000, but with a $4,000 government incentive as well as state rebates, this cost can be lessened. This price includes all installation and wiring as well as the purchase of the actual tower and turbine. The return, however, depends on the amount of wind the turbine is exposed to. Skystream indicates a reduction in power bills by 30% to 80% and reports monthly energy bills from $8 to $15 after installation. The Skystream is not equipped to take a residence completely off the grid, but it certainly can help.
The ARE (Abundant Renewable Energy) 110 is priced a little differently. An off-grid model turbine will only cost you about $11,800 and comes with a five-year warranty, while a grid-connect system will run about $12,650. Towers are sold separately and can range from $1,700 to $12,050 depending on height and the model it is designed to support. naturally, the higher the tower, the better your turbine will catch the wind. ARE mills also have another factor: installation, which is not included, but you can purchase tower hoisting accessories for about $6,000. In total, you could be looking at and upwards of $20,000 for one of these models.
Like the ARE, the Bergey Excel 10 kW comes in off-grid and on-grid models. Here prices can range from $23,500 to $29,500, which include turbine, voltage regulator or a grid-synchronous inverter. The tower again, comes separately in a variety of heights with prices from $10,150 to $17,200. Bergey does not give installation costs, but it does provide installation manuals so that small businesses can look into installing their own. On the whole however, this mill proves to be the most expensive so far with an upwards cost of $50,000.
Windmills are getting better in price and sophistication still, but those thinking of installing a turbine should remember they’re not for everyone. Small farm are usually ideal for mills, considering the cleared land, which affords better gusts of wind, as well as the amount of electricity small farms use. In cases like these, despite the initial coast, turbines can usually cut electricity costs back dramatically, paying for themselves in as little as seven years. In the end it’s best to ask around and visit dealers before settling on a model that you find right for your individual needs.
