Practicality
Below is a comparison of on- and off-grid small wind systems configurations, applications and practicality so you can determine which is more suitable for your needs.
Typical Configuration
Typical on-grid small wind turbine configuration with a permanent magnet alternator and synchronous inverter:
Source: Iowa Energy Center Wind Energy Manual
Typical off-grid small wind turbine configuration with battery storage but without supplemental or backup energy systems:
Source: NRCan, Stand-Alone Wind Energy Systems: A Buyer’s Guide
On-Grid
Applications
Practical if
- You have an average annual wind speed of at least 3 m/s at your site
- The utility's requirements for connecting your system to its grid are not prohibitively expensive
Off-Grid
Applications
Practical if
- You have an average annual wind speed of at least 3 m/s at your site
- A grid connection is not available or can only be made through an expensive extension. The cost of running a power line to a remote site to connect with the utility grid can be prohibitive (up to $30,000 per kilometer), depending on terrain.
- You would like to gain energy independence from the grid
Find manufacturers 
Download Siting and Zoning Study