THE FUSE

A wind turbine for a home practically requires a high average wind speed that's consistent month-to-month. Homes with lots of trees, surrounded by other homes, behind hills or with large sheds need not apply. Not only do these obstacles block wind, but they also create turbulence, which reduces output and speeds up wear and tear on the turbine. The Department of Energy's small wind guidance recommends placing the bottom of the rotor at least 30 feet above any obstacle within 300-500 horizontal feet of the tower.