Choosing a Wind Energy System

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By far the cheapest and simplest wind energy option is a batteryless grid-connected system. The occasional power outage will shut your system down, but in most places these are rare and shortlived events. Grid-connected systems are usually cheaper than going off-grid. Moreover, if you are installing a wind system on an existing home that is already connected to the grid, it’s best to stay connected. Use the grid as your batteries.

Grid-connected systems with battery banks are suitable for those who want to stay connected to the grid, but want protection against occasional blackouts or brownouts. They cost more, but provide peace of mind and security.

However, if you are building a new home and you are more than a few tenths of a mile from existing power lines, connecting to the grid can be expensive. While some utility companies foot the bill for line extension, others charge to run an electrical line to your home. Utility company policies vary considerably when it comes to line extension costs. Hook-up fees can run up to $50,000 — or more — if you live more than half a mile from the closest electric lines. Dan
has a client who spent $65,000 to run a utility line two miles to her property, which could have purchased a huge renewable energy system for her cabins. So be sure to check with your local utility when considering which system you should install. In some locations, a quarter-mile grid connection is costly enough to justify an off-grid system.