The Economics of a Small Wind Electric System
To help you analyze the economics of a small wind electric system and decide whether wind energy will work for you, you can use a variety of tools. See the Evaluation Tools in the Learn More section for links to these and other resources that will help you decide if a small wind electric system is right for you.
These tools may be useful in helping you generate the following estimates:
- Costs
- Savings
- Cash flow
- Output
- Electric bills and electric bill comparisons
- Wind characteristics
- Simple payback in years.
Finding these estimates will help you determine whether wind energy is a good option for your site. If it takes too long to regain your capital investment—the number of years comes too close or is greater than the life of the system—wind energy will not be practical for you.
Learn More
Evaluation Tools
Homer
DOE Building Energy Tools Software Directory
Wind Energy Finance Calculator
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Wind Estimator
Solar-Estimate.org
Financing & Incentives
Sample Farm Bill Application: Guide for Small Wind Applicant
DOE Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program
Find Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
Energy Savers
Find State and Local Incentives
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
