Will a home wind turbine pay for itself where you live?

Probably not. In 3,094 of 3,144 US counties (98%), a 10 kW turbine wears out before it earns back what it cost. It works in 7, and it is close in 43.

Under 10 years7

10 to 2043

20 to 401,243

40 to 80716

Over 80, or never1,135

US counties by years to pay back a $100,000 installed 10 kW turbine. It is built to last about 20.

A small turbine only earns its keep with steady wind and pricey power. Look up your county to see the typical wind speed at turbine height, what a small turbine would make there in a year, and how long it would take to pay back.

Check your county

County-centre wind, not your field. A ridge or open plain can beat it; trees and rooftops do worse.

Where it does pay

High wind, expensive power, or both. Hawaii and the Alaskan islands pay over 25¢/kWh, which does most of the work.

County	Wind at 30 m	A year	Power	Payback
Honolulu County, HI	6.85 m/s	25,964 kWh	46.41¢	8 years
Aleutians West Census Area, AK	9.35 m/s	41,487 kWh	27.32¢	9 years
Kauai County, HI	6.64 m/s	24,436 kWh	46.41¢	9 years
Kalawao County, HI	6.46 m/s	23,112 kWh	46.41¢	9 years
Maui County, HI	6.46 m/s	23,112 kWh	46.41¢	9 years
Barnstable County, MA	8.21 m/s	35,148 kWh	30.19¢	9 years
Nantucket County, MA	8.21 m/s	35,148 kWh	30.19¢	9 years
Dukes County, MA	7.41 m/s	29,920 kWh	30.19¢	11 years
Aleutians East Borough, AK	7.73 m/s	32,079 kWh	27.32¢	11 years
San Francisco County, CA	6.53 m/s	23,628 kWh	32.58¢	13 years
Niagara County, NY	6.87 m/s	26,109 kWh	29.26¢	13 years
Orleans County, NY	6.86 m/s	26,036 kWh	29.26¢	13 years
Monroe County, NY	6.61 m/s	24,216 kWh	29.26¢	14 years
Knox County, ME	6.26 m/s	21,632 kWh	30.23¢	15 years
Keweenaw County, MI	7.4 m/s	29,851 kWh	21.73¢	15 years
Kings County, NY	6.34 m/s	22,225 kWh	29.26¢	15 years
Nassau County, NY	6.34 m/s	22,225 kWh	29.26¢	15 years
Queens County, NY	6.34 m/s	22,225 kWh	29.26¢	15 years
Leelanau County, MI	7.3 m/s	29,160 kWh	21.73¢	16 years

Plus 31 more counties that break even between 16 and 20 years.