Sales of Wind Turbines for Home Use Are Going Strong

Sales of Wind Turbines for Home Use Are Going Strong.

The USA Today (6/28, Ellis, Winchester) reports "A growing number of people are investing in small electricity generating wind turbines for residential use, despite the bad economy, and backers of wind power say they expect advances in technology and manufacturing to make them even more popular." Compared to 2,100 units sold in 2001, almost 10,000 units were sold throughout the US in 2009, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Turbine advocates "say they can be an important source of clean energy in windy parts of the country. Key hurdles to widespread use rest with local governments, their zoning ordinances and public acceptance." The average home could be powered by a 10-kilowatt wind turbine, which is estimated to cost between $35,000-$50,000.