MAAPS -Wind Resources

These four questions will help you quickly determine whether a wind system is feasible for your home, farm, or small business.

Question 1: Are you a customer of one of the identified Investor-Owned Utilities ?

Yes: Good News! Since you are a customer of one of these utility companies you qualify for the grant program offered by the Illinois DECO. For a limited time, this program will pay up to 30% of the total cost to install a home wind system.

No: Bad News! Since you are not a customer of one of these participating utility companies, you do not qualify for the rebate program offered through the state. You might check with your municipal electric system or rural coop to see if they have any similar incentive programs.

Question 2: Do your monthly electric bills average $100 or more ?

Yes: Good News! You use enough electricity to be a good candidate wind system.

No: Bad News! You do not use enough electricity to take advantage of a small (less than 10kw) wind system. You could investigate switching to all-electric service or you might consider adding solar and a smaller turbine.

Question 3: Is your property size 1 acre or larger ?

Yes: Good News! Your property size is big enough for a 10 kW Bergey wind system. The wind system is a large structure and it does make some noise. But, your neighbors are far enough away that it shouldn't impose too much on them.

No: Bad News! Your property is not really large enough traditional wind system. The wind system is a large structure and it does make some noise. Your neighbors are pretty close and it would probably bother some of them. You might consider a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) or a solar application.

Question 4: Using the US-DOE wind map below, is your location Class 2 or higher ?

Yes: Good News! Your wind resource is sufficient for a small wind turbine. But, be sure that your site is not sheltered by nearby hills. If you are in a good wind area, but your site is sheltered, a small wind system might not be a good investment.

No: Less Good News! The payback period will be longer in lower wind areas. There are many, many pockets of good wind resources in Class 1 areas - the maps just are not detailed enough to show them. Use your judgment. We definitely recommend a tall tower in Class 1 areas.

Can't Tell: Further Investigation Needed! In hilly terrain the US-DOE maps are only good for general guidance. There are "wind channels" in hilly areas and your property may have more or less wind depending on its exposure to these channels. Please contact MAAPS for assistance.

WInd Resources: Will it work for me?