Meanwhile, basic industrial and commercial applications necessitate wind power reaching 20kW or greater. Higher powered turbines, from 1.5k or more megawatts, are typically used for larger applications and projects, such as a wind farm. These large turbines are able to dish out energy that can supply electricity to thousands of houses. Micro turbines, on the other hand, are designed to produce and distribute power for specific applications, such as battery charging and sailboats.

When you are considering the turbine capabilities from a wide selection of the product, take into account your house’s electrical requirements and the wind conditions within your location. Usually, a wind turbine within a range of 5 to 15kW will be sufficient enough to meet the needs and demands of your home’s electrical systems, yet the average wind speed in your home is also a crucial factor.

If your planning to buy the best small wind turbine for single home use, here are the top five picks to choose from.

First, Vestas V27′s. You can find the wind turbine manufacturing company in Denmark, particularly Copenhagen. The wind turbine model is ideal for installation in Italy or Northern Ireland or any other area wherein high FIT’s apply for turbines under 250kW.

The second, Goldwind Wind Turbines, Catering to the needs of Chinese clients, the wind turbine is a great-value product with one of the world’s best price to kilowatt ratio. It is available worldwide and with a full turnkey solution.

Third, Kenetech KVS-33 wind turbine. Located in California, USA, the manufacturer’s sell the Kenetech KVS-33 turbine with rated output of of 300kW with integrated settings for 360kW and 410kW.

The fourth, the Bonus 600 MK III wind turbine with a high power output of 600kW. The wind turbine is available at a bargain price in Germany with a full service history and a brand new gearbox in 2009.

Lastly, the GE 1.5 MW wind turbine in New York, USA. It has a high rated capacity of 1,500kW and a cut-in wind speed of 3.5m/s. Power control is achieved by an active blade pitch control while the gearbox has a three-step planetary spur gear system.

“This new standard is the most significant milestone in the history of the small wind industry because it provides, for the first time, third-party verification of real world performance and a highly technical review of a turbine’s strength and safety,” said Mike Bergey, president of Bergey Windpower and the 2011 president of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. “This is huge for consumers because it addresses the ‘hucksters and hype’ problem in the small wind marketplace. We are very proud to be the first to achieve this game-changing certification.”

This wind turbine also can be used in combination with photovoltaic elements in solar power production. The rugged design of the AC 1002 wind turbine makes it ideal for use in inland as well as coastal locations. This wind turbine incorporates fewer numbers of moving parts to allow easy maintenance and servicing.

The cut in speed of the wind turbine is 3 m/s, and the wind turbine produces a nominal power output at 9 m/s wind speed and 600 rpm. This wind turbine can withstand wind speeds up to 40 m/s and utilizes eclipse control method for protection against high velocity winds.

FloDesign hopes to build its first wind turbines in Massachusetts and to establish a new benchmark for other wid  technology companies to look to.

The deal with MassCEC should generate 120 new jobs in the area over the next three years.

“Massport embraces technology that helps the environment and we are very excited about the prospect of bringing this cutting edge wind energy technology to test it in an airport environment,” said Thomas J. Kinton Jr. CEO and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Port Authority. “We look forward to working with FloDesign to understand the technology fully and push for the necessary regulatory approval from the FAA so that we can install one or more turbines at a Massport airport in a pilot program.”

Exclusive to the Whisper, the side-furling angle-governor protects the turbine in high winds by turning the alternator and blades out of the wind, reducing turbine exposure. This angle-governor lets the Whisper 500 continue to safely spin and deliver energy even in high winds.

Southwest Windpower Skystream 3.7 – The Skystream 3.7 is the first fully-integrated, grid-tied wind energy system designed for residential use. This “plug and play” turbine is an all-inclusive wind generator (with controls and inverter built in) designed to provide quiet, clean electricity in very low winds.
Cost*: $5399 (not including tower and installation materials)

Southwest Windpower Air X - The Air X is ideally designed for powering small appliances in off-grid installations, remote communications facilities, marine applications, and communities in the developing world.
Cost: $600

AeroVironment Architectural Wind – Architectural Wind is a small, modular wind turbine system designed for installation on buildings in urban and suburban areas.

Southwest Windpower Whisper 500 – The Whisper 500 can produce enough energy to power a small to moderately sized home. Formerly the Whisper 175, the Whisper 500 was completely redesigned in 2004 to work in harsh, high wind environments.
Cost: $7,095

Bergey Excel – The Bergey Excel is designed for high reliability, low maintenance, and automatic operation in adverse weather conditions. It is available in two configurations: battery charging and grid-tied.
Cost: $21,900-$27,900

The Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator features a durable aluminum body and lightweight carbon fiber blades that are optimized for maximum efficiency and low noise. It is completely weatherproof, and the patented high-wind over-speed technology keeps the unit safe in high wind and stormy conditions. Assembly is required, but this generator installs easily and mounts to any sturdy pole, building, or the Sunforce 44455 Wind Generator 30-Foot Tower Kit.

Skystream 3.7 offers a simple, all-in-one solution to harnessing wind energy on a residential scale. Different from all other technologies, Skystream 3.7 is the first all-inclusive wind generator with the controls and inverter built in.

Designed for very low winds, Skystream 3.7™ begins producing power in an 8 mph breeze with full output achieved at 20 mph