When it comes to wind power generation technology, the utility-scale deployments get much of the media attention. But small-wind technology -- turbines with a rated capacity of 100 kilowatts or less, and rotor diameters of less than 63 feet -- is starting to get more visibility. Especially since home improvement stories including Lowe's, Home Depot and the Ace Hardware chain have started selling some of the vendors seeking mainstream attention. Half of all the small-wind generation capacity -- about 50,000 megawatts -- was installed between 2007 and 2010, according to the American Wind Energy Association. It helps that there has been a federal incentive of up to 30 percent of the installed cost in place to help offset the investment. A guide from the U.S. Department of Energy should help interested consumers research their buying decisions.
The Bergey WindPower Excel technology portfolio pictured here, for example, can be bought from Lowe's starting at $3,560 for the 1-kilowatt edition up to approximately $17,200 for the 10-kilowatt model. The rotor diameter for Excel is about 23 feet for the 10-kw version, and the towers typically used to install them range from 60 feet to 140 feet high. Bergey is focusing its attention on large rural homes, remote facilities, eco-tourism resorts and telecommunications sites.
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