Home wind energy claims often just hot air, study finds

Done right, home-based wind turbines can be an effective way to produce energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Sadly, though, it appears that home-based wind turbines are too often not done right.

That’s the conclusion reached by a recent study financed by the UK government and the British Wind Energy Association. Conducted by renewables consulting firm Encraft, the study found the average home wind turbine generated only enough electricity to power household lights (if the structure was energy efficient). That’s a measly 5 to 10 percent of what turbine manufacturers say their products are capable of.

Worse still, the study found that some of the poorest performing home turbines were actually energy consuming, putting out less electricity than was needed simply to power their own electronics.

The study was based on a year’s worth of performance data from 26 wind turbines located in a variety of urban, suburban and rural locations. Five different turbine manufacturers were represented in the study.

Why are so many home wind turbines performing so poorly? Encraft pegged the blame on poor placement on the property, noting that many homeowners hadn’t received the proper installation advice.

You can find further details on the study at The Guardian, which reported on the findings this week.