Positive Power Co-op's current focus is to develop large scale utility grade wind turbine projects and connect them to the electricity grid to add to Ontario's overall supply mix.

Small wind turbines are ideal for householders, communities and small businesses to use for on-site energy generation. There are a range of different types of small wind turbine models and thanks to their flexibility small wind turbines can be installed in most locations. Your individual site specifics (such as location, wind speed and local landscape) will eventually determine the best turbine type and size for your case. See similar questions...

Either way is possible. In fact, just about anything you wish is possible. The simplest is to have just the wind generator plus an inverter that connects it to the grid, without batteries. The downside is that if the grid goes down, so does the electricity in your house, even in a roaring storm with the turbine spinning like there is no tomorrow. Batteries can keep you going in case of a power outage, but they come at a (steep) price. See similar questions...

That depends on how your wind turbine is connected to the grid. If you have batteries for backup then you will have power when the grid goes out, at least to a number of loads in your house. Without batteries there will be no power to your house when there is a power outage, even if the wind is blowing and your turbine spinning. For more information on how a wind turbine can be connected please see the wind basics section. See similar questions...

How do I know?! It depends on the wind available and the amount of electricity that you use. Neither is something that I can determine. I can provide some guidance however - click here for more details See similar questions...

Most dealers offer either complete turnkey (ready-to-operate) installations or the option to purchase direct from the factory and install the system yourself. The first option offers more customer support from the company. Self-installation offers significant savings and a hands-on understanding of the turbine. Prospective owners can discuss the options available with manufacturers to decide which method best suits their budget and technical skills. See similar questions...

A residential wind turbine can be a relatively large device and is not suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes. Except for very small wind turbines (i.e., with rotors one meter or less in diameter) on very small towers, a property size of one acre or more is desirable. The economics of a wind system are very sensitive to the average wind speed in the area, and to a lesser extent, the cost of purchasing electricity. See similar questions...

You can have varied wind resources within the same property. If you live in complex terrain, take care in selecting the installation site. If you site your wind turbine on the top or on the windy side of a hill, for example, you will have more access to prevailing winds than in a gully or on the leeward (sheltered) side of a hill on the same property. Consider existing obstacles and plan for future obstructions, including trees and buildings, which could block the wind. See similar questions...

Installing a wind turbine is a bit more involved than installing solar panels, but they are still relatively easy to incorporate into your alternative energy system. Some smaller turbines can be mounted to the rooftop of your house, but vibrations from the turbine may be transferred to the frame of the building. Rooftop turbine mounts often come with rubber vibration dampers to minimize this problem. See similar questions...

Maybe - but a wind turbine will operate more efficiently on a separate mast. Also, if your home is on the national grid, then there are more cost-effective ways to promote renewable energy. See similar questions...

There is a very good book on this subject, 'Wind Power Workshop' by Hugh Piggott, available from the Centre for Alternative Technology. For a brief idea of what is involved see how to build your own wind turbine. However, as with all technical and potentially dangerous equipment, most people should buy commercially manufactures and professionally tested machines. See similar questions...

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Government's Clear Skies programme offers grants for households and communities. Grants are offered for £1,000 per kW installed up to a maximum of £5,000. The minimum size of installations under this scheme is 0.5 kW. Installations larger than 5 kW are allowable but capacity above that level will not receive a grant. For more information visit Clear Skies. See similar questions...

The maintenance required for small wind turbines is likely to be minimal. An annual check is all what is likely to be required and can be arranged by the wind turbine manufacturer. See similar questions...

Small wind turbines can be connected to the local electricity network and the total electricity they generate is eligible for Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) under the Renewables Obligation (i.e ROC income can be obtained from both the electricity you use on site and that you export). The value of a ROC is now (2006) about 4.5 p/kWh. When a wind turbine connection to the mains supply is made, it has to be approved by your local electricity distribution utility. See similar questions...

Your wind turbine will have to be positioned well away from obstructions like buildings ,trees etc. for these can cause turbulance. In general it should be twice the height of any obstructions . The best sites are on bare hills. They have to be at least 50maway from the nearest neighbours. See similar questions...

Since energy conservation is usually less expensive than energy production, making your house or farm more energy-efficient first will likely reduce the amount of investment in a wind system to meet your needs. Most wind system purchasers have done all the reasonable efficiency measures first. A wind turbine typically lowers a household electricity bill by 50% to 90%. See similar questions...

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is" are words to keep in mind when shopping for a small wind turbine. Over the years, a steady stream of "breakthrough" wind turbines has promised exceptional performance at an incredibly low price. Sometimes the claimed performance violates the laws of physics, promising more power than the total kinetic energy available in the windstream that is intercepted by the rotor's swept area. See similar questions...