Wind Power | Austin & San Antonio

There are several benefits to wind power. Wind power is one of the least expensive forms of alternative energy. Wind turbines generate electricity at around 5 cents per kWh (Kilowatt Hour), and once the wind turbines are in place there is little cost to maintain and wind power is free.

The Hill Country provides some areas where wind turbines are a good option for generating electricity. Hill Country Ecopower will work with you to determine your suitability for wind energy. Many folks in the Hill Country have both wind and solar resources available and want to know the most cost effective solution – we can help you decide what makes sense for you.

One goal when installing a renewable energy system is to determine which technology has the lowest installed cost per unit of energy output. One good metric for determining the value of your renewable energy system investment is “The lower the $/kilowatt per hour (kWh), the better”. The Cost Analysis graph shows that the $/kWh of a wind turbine is highly dependent on the available wind speed. At low wind speeds, the output of the wind turbine is low, so that a solar or PV system provides a better value. As the wind speed increases, the wind turbine produces more power, and at some value between 11 – 11.5 mph, it starts to become a better value than solar/PV.

It is vital that any wind power installation maximize the wind speed available for a wind turbine. To maximize your output, the turbine should be mounted at least 25 feet above the nearest obstacle located within a 500 foot radius of the turbine.