[cyberax]

There are commercially available wind turbines, rated for 1-20kW.

My partner's parents installed such a system in Oregon, they live off-grid and use it to minimize their propane generator's use. A 3kW system was around $7k in total.

It doesn't make much sense if you have a grid connection, the payback time will likely be at least 15 years or so. But it makes sense for an off-grid system.

[spockz]

What is the longevity of such a wind turbine? How much maintenance goes into it, both hours and money for parts? 15 years is quite a long time.

[cyberax]

The maintenance needs to be done about once every two years or so. It requires lowering down the mast and inspecting the bearings. Both are pretty easy to do.

It's a simple system without a gearbox, the only moving parts are the rotor and the brakes.

The turbine is supposed to last for 20 years, and it can probably exceed that.

[onlyrealcuzzo]

How many kwh per day does the 3kw system cost?

2 of those could, theoretically, power all of a typical house's electricity if they got anywhere near 3kw on average.

$14k to not need the grid would be a deal.

[cyberax]

You won't really be able to power a house consistently with wind turbines because there are long periods (many days) without enough wind. No amount of storage can compensate for that, you'll need a generator or a grid tie-in.

The average capacity factor over the last year was about 30%, and they live in a rather windy location.

[cinntaile]

If you supplement that with some solar panels and a battery, a generator wouldn't have to run that often.

[adrianN]

Big commercial onshore turbines run at something like 20% peak on average. Your tiny system would likely be much worse.

[dotancohen]

You would need energy storage as well, not to mention spare parts.