Wind Turbine Cost: Average Prices & Cost Factors

The cost of a wind turbine depends on its size and purpose. A small turbine for a house or farm is priced very differently from a utility-scale machine on a wind farm, and the price per kilowatt falls as the project gets bigger. Most published numbers are quoted per kilowatt of rated capacity, so you multiply by the size of the system you need.

This guide covers small residential systems first, then shows how they compare with larger projects, using figures from the U.S. Department of Energy and a university extension service. It also explains the site costs that can double the price of the turbine itself. Wind prices change with the market and the site, so use these as planning ranges and get quotes from installers.

Estimates for small systems differ by source and by the year of the data. The table below puts three of them side by side.

The numbers differ because they sample different projects. The Energy Department's figure for small distributed systems comes from market reports on projects that were reported to it, and its guidebook cites an average of projects installed in 2021. The extension service offers a rough rule of thumb. The small sample sizes behind these averages may explain part of the spread, so a quote for your own site matters more than any average.

A system large enough to supply most of an average home's electricity use is a significant investment.

That figure is before any incentives. Programs change, so check the Department of Energy and the DSIRE database of state and federal incentives for what applies to your project and your timing.

For context, utility-scale wind costs far less per kilowatt than a home turbine. Larger projects spread fixed costs over more capacity.

Distributed wind, meaning turbines connected on the customer side of the meter or to a local grid, costs less per kilowatt above 100 kW than below it. Offshore wind costs more than land-based wind because of foundations, installation vessels, and grid connections at sea.

The turbine is not the only cost. Foundation work, a tower, wiring, an inverter, permits, and the connection to the utility all add to the bill. If your site is far from existing power lines, the cost of running a line can be high.

Zoning and permitting also matter. Some areas limit tower height or require a setback from property lines. Ask your county planning office about requirements before you spend money on a design.

A roof-mounted or very small turbine produces little electricity and is better thought of as a hobby or a way to charge a battery than as a way to cut a utility bill. Larger freestanding turbines on a tall tower produce much more, and they carry the tower, foundation, and interconnection costs described above. Because taller towers reach stronger and steadier wind, tower height is one of the most important choices in a system design. Ask the installer how output changes with tower height at your site.

Wind turbines have moving parts, so they need periodic inspection of the blades, bolts, bearings, and the electrical connections. Maintenance is a recurring cost that the purchase price does not include. Ask the manufacturer for a maintenance schedule and for the expected service life of the major components, then include that cost in your comparison with other energy options.

Wind power depends on wind speed at the turbine's hub height. Trees and buildings reduce wind near the ground, so a small turbine on a crowded lot may not see enough wind to justify the cost. A site with consistent wind and room for a tower is a better candidate. Improving your home's efficiency is often less expensive than generating more power, so compare a turbine against efficiency upgrades and rooftop solar for your site.

Ask installers for an estimate of annual output based on measured wind data at your site, not a regional average. Then divide the system cost by the energy it will produce over its life to compare it with the price you pay your utility.

• Rated capacity, from a small turbine to a multi-kilowatt system.
• Tower type and height.
• Foundation requirements for your soil.
• Distance to the grid and the type of interconnection.
• Whether you add batteries for off-grid use.
• Permits, inspections, and any engineering study.
• Installer labor and travel for remote sites.

1. What is the estimated annual output at my site, and how was it calculated?
2. What is included in the quote: tower, foundation, inverter, wiring, permits?
3. What maintenance does the turbine need, and who performs it?
4. What is the warranty on the turbine and the inverter?
5. Which incentives or net metering rules apply here?