What is wind power?

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines.

A wind turbine, collects kinetic (motion) energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home's electrical system.

In a normal residential application, a home is served simultaneously by the wind turbine and a local utility. If the wind speed is below the minimum speed to spin the blades - there will be no output from the turbine and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the house needs, many utilities institute a policy called "net metering" whereby the extra electricity is sold back to the utility. All of this is done automatically.