Domestic-Scale Wind Energy Generators

Small wind turbines can be a great addition to your home, providing a renewable source of electricity. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand the key aspects of installing a small wind turbine for self-supply.

Cost and Location

The cost of acquiring a small wind turbine for private use ranges between 2,000 and 25,000 €, depending on the quality and power output. Each kilowatt of generated power by a small wind turbine costs approximately 5,000 € in acquisition.

Detached houses in a peripheral location are generally better suited for wind turbines than densely built-up inner-city areas. The higher the wind turbine is installed, the more electricity can be generated. Ideally, the rotor blades should extend beyond the adjacent roofs.

Types of Wind Turbines

There are two main types of wind turbines: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal wind turbines have the rotor lying horizontally on the tower, and the rotor blades rotate star-shaped around this axis. In contrast, vertical wind turbines have the rotors rotating around a vertically standing mast, running parallel to the mast from top to bottom.

System Components

A wind turbine typically consists of a tower or mast, rotor blades, a generator, and a transformer.

Energy Generation

The electricity generation of a small wind turbine for home use varies based on factors such as wind, height of rotor blades, diameter of rotor blades, power capacity, and efficiency of the system. Under very good conditions, a small wind turbine with a power output of 3-5 kW can generate around 4,000-5,000 kWh of electricity per year, which is enough to cover the electricity consumption of a 4-person household.

Regulations and Permits

Small wind turbines must always be registered with the Federal Network Agency and the local power grid operator, including smaller plants with lower heights. If a wind turbine is higher than 10 meters, a permit from the building authority is required.

Public interests must be considered when setting up a small wind turbine. This means that noise pollution from the rotor blades and shadows must be kept low.

Installation and Additional Costs

In addition to the costs for acquiring a wind turbine, further expenses are incurred for installation, setup, electrical connection, and professional wind measurement for optimal alignment. These works can cost between 2,000 and 5,000 €.

Insurance

Insurance for a small wind power plant is not mandatory but recommended. This can protect parts of the plant that could fall during a storm and damage your own house or neighboring buildings.

Choosing a Provider

The market for small wind energy systems for self-supply is confusing and contains a wide range of manufacturers. To get an overview and choose a serious provider, consumer centres recommend asking the following questions:

Are they certified for small wind turbines?
Do they require network and federal agency registration?
Have they passed insurance checks?
Do they require building permits?

For example, providers like "Kleines Kraftwerk" are highly rated for small-scale solar setups and may offer related solutions. However, direct mentions of dedicated private wind turbine companies are limited in search results, with emphasis on safety certifications and installation suitability.

Under the KfW promotion for the expansion of renewable energies, you can take out a loan from program 270. The promotional loans amount up to 150 million euros and up to 100% of the investment costs.