How to Connect a Wind Turbine to a Grid

Wind turbines are expensive to install, but can pay for themselves in electricity.

Installing a wind turbine on your property gives you access to free, clean electricity generated by the motion of the turbine's blades as they catch the wind. As an added bonus, it is possible to recoup some or all of the turbine's installation costs by connecting the turbine to your home and to the electricity grid. Once connected, the local power utility will buy any surplus electricity that your home doesn't use. Connecting a wind turbine to the grid in this way involves working with your local utility company and installing some additional equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Wind turbine
• Controller
• Wire
• Two-way meter
• Inverter
• Breaker panel
• Dump load

Instructions

1. Contact your local power utility and request a grid connection for your wind turbine. They will be able to tell you how much they will pay for your power, and they'll often install the necessary meters at no cost.

2. Connect the cables carrying the electricity from your wind turbine to a controller. This is a piece of equipment that directs the current either into the grid or into a dump load (usually a water or air heater) if the grid can't accept it. It can also direct the power to batteries, if they are a part of your system.

3. Connect the power cables from the controller to an inverter. This will change the direct current (DC) power coming from the wind turbine into alternating current (AC) at the frequency used by your local grid. The local electrical utility will be able to help you set this up properly.

4. Connect the power cable running out of your inverter to your main household breaker panel. The panel will distribute electrical power to loads connected to the home's electrical system.

5. Wire your breaker panel into the closest power line with the wiring running through a two-way electrical meter. This meter will track the current going into the house from the grid and the current coming out of the house into it. If your balance is positive, the electrical company will pay you for the power. This connection is normally made by the utility company on request.

Tips & Warnings

• Wind turbine systems vary greatly in size and complexity. Always follow the manufacturer's directions on installation procedures and cable types. If you are not familiar with the local electrical construction codes, bring in an electrician to do the work.

• If your local utility offers a good feed-in tariff for the electricity generated, it may be much easier to get loans from the bank for installation.

• You may be eligible for both state and federal tax credits if you install a wind turbine system. Check with your local electrical utility for details.

References

• U.S. Department of Energy: Wind and Water Power Program
• Homepower Magazine: Wind Basics