Grid-Connected Small Wind Electric Systems

Small wind energy systems can be connected to the electricity distribution system. These are called grid-connected systems.

A grid-connected wind turbine can reduce your consumption of utility-supplied electricity for lighting, appliances, and electric heat. If the turbine cannot deliver the amount of energy you need, the utility makes up the difference. When the wind system produces more electricity than the household requires, the excess is sent or sold to the utility.

With this type of grid-connection, note that the wind turbine will operate only when the utility grid is available. During power outages, the wind turbine is required to shut down due to safety concerns.

Grid-connected systems can be practical if the following conditions exist:

• You live in an area with average annual wind speed of at least 10 miles per hour (4.5 m/s).

• Utility-supplied electricity is expensive in your area (about 10–15 cents per kilowatt-hour).

• The utility's requirements for connecting your system to its grid are not prohibitively expensive.

• There are good incentives for the sale of excess electricity or for the purchase of wind turbines.

Federal regulations (specifically, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA) require utilities to connect with and purchase power from small wind energy systems. However, you should contact your utility before connecting to its distribution lines to address any power quality and safety concerns.

Your utility can provide you with a list of requirements for connecting your system to the grid.

For more information on grid-connected systems, see:

• Net metering
• Required equipment
• Power provider or utility requirements

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