How Much Does It Cost to Install a Home Wind Turbine?
Typical Range:
$100 - $80,000
Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.
Published December 17, 2021
Written by HomeAdvisor.It costs an average of $2,000 to install a wind turbine to provide electricity for your home. However, there is a varying range of prices depending on what kind of turbine and wind energy you need. You may pay as little as $100 for a microturbine or as much as $80,000 to power a large home. This guide breaks down the different types of wind turbines, and what factors go into the price you are likely to pay for the turbine you want.
Average Cost to Install a Wind Turbine
| Average Cost | $2,000 |
| High Cost | $80,000 |
| Low Cost | $100 |
Estimating Wind Turbine Prices
There are no material prices for wind turbines because all parts and accessories are included when you purchase a wind turbine. Essentially, the price you pay for a wind turbine covers all materials.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Wind Turbine?
For smaller wind turbines that you can purchase online or in stores, there is no installation cost. You can use the manual or manufacturer guidelines it comes with to set it up yourself.
For larger turbines meant to power entire homes, expect to pay $3,000 to $8,000 per kilowatt for installation, or about $50,000 to $80,000 for a large house requiring a 10-kilowatt turbine. A commercial-grade wind turbine that produces 2 megawatts and costs up to $4 million to install.
How Much Does a Wind Turbine Cost by Type?
There are vastly different prices for wind turbines because they come in many different sizes and power levels.
Microturbines
On the lowest end of the size and power spectrum, you have a simple wind turbine weighing less than 20 pounds that generates just 400 watts and costs a little more than $100. These microturbines are typically used for charging batteries or in recreational vehicles when a power source is not easily accessible.
Combination Wind and Solar
Some wind turbines come packaged with solar panels. For example, a kit may offer a 400-watt wind turbine plus four 100-watt mono solar panels (a total of 800 watts altogether) for a total of just under $2,000.
High-Powered Small Turbines
As you go up in power, you can expect to pay more. One high-powered small turbine generator produces 3,000 watts and costs about $4,200.
Whole-House Wind Turbines
On the top end, a full wind turbine is installed for up to $80,000 and can power a large home. This includes both the cost of the turbine, which looks similar to commercial versions but is smaller and less powerful, and the labor to install it. These turbines can provide an entire home with an alternative energy source and help save money over the long term.
Find a Wind Turbine Installation Pro Near You
What Factors Influence the Wind Turbine Cost?
Three main factors impact how much you'll pay for a wind turbine:
What you intend to use it for
How much energy it can produce
Whether you want to combine it with solar energy
Intended Use
Your intended use for the wind turbine is the most important determining price factor. If you just want to use it to power a water pump in your recreational vehicle, you're going to pay far less than if you want a wind turbine installed to power your home.
Output
Generally, as the power output goes up, so does the cost of the wind turbine. Micro turbines that only produce a few hundred watts will only set you back a few hundred dollars at most. But when you start talking about kilowatts, you're looking at tens of thousands of dollars.
Combination With Solar
If the wind isn't blowing, the sun may be shining, and vice versa—depending on where you live—and that's why it’s worth considering an installation that includes both solar panels and wind turbines. If these elements are packaged together, you'll pay extra to include solar panels with your wind turbine purchase.
Cost to Install It Yourself vs. Hire a Wind Turbine Pro
Generally speaking, if you're installing a simple home wind turbine, it is a manageable DIY. If the turbine only produces a few hundred or even a few thousand watts, the kit comes with installation instructions and all the materials you need to do the job yourself.
However, if you want to install a larger turbine that produces several kilowatts to power your home, that's a different story. In that case, reach out to a wind turbine professional or an electrician near you to get a quote as it's not a project you'll be able to do on your own because of the installation’s technical specificity and electrical requirements.
FAQs About Wind Turbine Installation
How big of a wind turbine do you need to power a house?
A home uses about 800 to 900 kilowatt-hours per month, so a wind turbine within a range of 5 and 15 kilowatts can provide the bulk of the electricity to a household.
What is the minimum wind speed for a wind turbine?
You would need a minimum of 5 miles per hour (mph) of wind speed in order to rotate a small wind turbine, and generally, you'd want wind speed of at least 8 mph and a maximum of about 35 mph. Anything beyond that risks damaging the turbine, at least for a small turbine. A commercial-grade turbine can handle wind speeds of up to 55 mph.
Is it worth installing a small wind turbine?
Yes, a small wind turbine can make your home more energy-efficient and is worth the money if you use the energy it collects. Small wind turbines only cost a few hundred dollars, and once you've installed them, you're collecting free energy, which means you’ll save on your monthly electric bill.
Start Your Clean Energy Project Today
