Small wind energy systems can be connected to the electricity distribution system and are called gridconnected 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. 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 mph (4.5 m/s)
- Utility-supplied electricity is expensive in your area (about 10 to 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 their 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.
Whether or not your wind turbine is connected to the utility grid, the installation and operation of the wind turbine is probably subject to the electrical codes that your local government (city or county), or in some instances your state government, has in place.
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