Green Energy - Home Programs
Small Wind Systems
UES is offering incentive payments for residential and nonresidential small wind systems to encourage the installation of wind power. Incentives range for both grid-tied and off-grid systems from 1 kilowatt (kW) up to 1,000 kW. Systems under 100 kW will have funding priority.
Small wind systems are best suited in areas that have a relatively high annual wind speed (10 MPH or more is recommended), low wind intermittency rates and at least a half acre of property to accommodate the wind turbine equipment.
What are the benefits of wind power?
Wind is a clean renewable energy resource that has been used for many years. Wind turbines convert energy from the wind into mechanical power which is then converted into electricity. Benefits of wind power are:
- Produces no emissions and is replenished naturally
- Reduces greenhouse gases
- Saves the release of 1.6 lbs. of carbon dioxide (CO2) for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) produced
- Saves the release of other emissions that result from the burning of fossil fuels such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide or mercury
- One of the lowest-priced renewable energy technologies, costing between 4-6 cents per kilowatt-hour in areas with good wind speed and low intermittency. However in Arizona the cost of wind power ranges between 8 cents per kWh to over $1.00 per kWh depending upon the wind generating system and financing options chosen.
- Provides customers with options to reduce their electric bills. For every kWh produced by your wind turbine, you will avoid about 10 cents (including taxes) on your electric bill.
Is wind generation right for me?
The decision to install a wind generator on your property should be made after you consider a variety of factors. Local building codes, local wind patterns, viewshed, machine noise, maintenance requirements and the cost of other alternative energy options such as solar, should all enter into your decision to install wind generation. In most populated areas of Arizona a solar generator is more cost effective than a wind generator. However, if you have a home or business located on a mountain ridge exposed to the prevailing winds, you could be a prime candidate for wind generation.
What incentives are available to UES customers?
UES provides customers with two incentive options to choose from: Up-Front Incentive (UFI) and a Performance Based Incentive (PBI).
2010 Incentive Payment Schedule
| Up-Front Incentive (1) | |
| 20-Year Renewable Energy Credit (REC) Agreement | |
| Grid-Tied | $2.25/Watt DC |
| Off-Grid | $1.80/Watt DC |
(1) Up-Front Incentive (UFI) provides customers a one-time payment based on their system size, which is in watts per AC (alternating current). In turn the customer would sign a credit purchase agreement assigning UES the Renewable Energy Credits (REC) for 20 years. To qualify for the UFI your wind system must have at least a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Customers may qualify for federal and state tax credits to further reduce the cost of the system. Talk with a tax professional about current tax credits available to you for a renewable energy system. You can also view federal and state credits at http://www.dsireusa.org/.
Note: Projects receiving an incentive can receive no more than 60% of the system cost in the total incentive payout. Also, UES incentives in combination with all federal and state tax credits can be no more than 85% of total project costs. A customer must cover at least 15% of total project costs.
