Before making a purchasing decision, it is essential to better understand the marketplace segment that is small wind energy, contrasted with what is called “large wind energy” in the industry.
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Large wind turbines, aligned in wind farms, are usually sites operated by utility companies to provide electricity for their consumers.
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Small wind turbines are owned by individual consumers or small businesses/industry that wish to offset utility-supplied retail electricity prices.
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Small wind turbines can be either on-grid (home/business) or off-grid (remote operation).
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Small wind technology is ideal for those who wish to stabilize electricity costs over time, and offset or avoid ever-increasing costs of energy supplied by utility companies.
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One needs to think long term, and how the savings achievable over a lifetime of reduced electricity costs will rationalize the initial investment in small wind energy.
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The fact that one can easily achieve a return on investment makes this technology even more attractive.
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In addition to financial incentives for choosing/installing small wind turbines, there are personal factors that underlay the decision. A desire to be planet-positive and impact the environment less, while simultaneously gaining energy independence, are also key factors.
Eocycle representatives or dealers will be delighted to discuss any aspect of the decision to install a 25 kW wind turbine with you, in detail. Some other key factors that need to be considered for your personal investment are:
- Annual energy production (AEP). It is more appropriate to consider AEP of wind turbines, rather than their nominal power.
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Your local and state incentives that encourage such investment (see the DSIRE web site, we have a link under the “Products” section).
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Tax credits applicable to such technology by federal agencies.
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The current and projected costs of utility-supplied electricity in your area.
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Wind quality at the site where you intend to install a wind turbine.
These factors are major in consideration of small wind turbine energy, and in determining the timeframe to achieve a return on your initial investment.
In addition, investigate the maintenance requirements of the wind turbines you consider purchasing, as well as the origin, quality, reliability and durability of its components. Maintenance, parts replacement and overhaul costs can void all expected monetary advantages of producing your own electricity, to a point where you may never be able to recover your investment.
Also, beware of low quality and cheaper products as they may be unsafe to operate.
Depending on your particular location, it is actually feasible to have your investment recovered in a period as small as five years, when all of the financial incentives are applied in your favor.
In cases such as this, it is not so much a question of “should I install a small wind turbine?”, but, rather, “why not?!”. So why not call Eocycle or an Eocycle dealer today, so we can begin a dialog on how we can help you become energy independent, save money, and at the same time, make your contribution to the environment!