Over the past decade the cost of energy consumption has dramatically increased. Most people dread the day that their electricity bills arrive. Now many of us are looking at alternative energy sources that are not only good for the environment but also offer financial benefits. Solar panels and cells are perhaps the most common choice for individual consumers, but now it is also possible to generate a proportion of your energy needs through micro wind turbines.

Modern wind turbines do not have to be huge devices like that which we may have seen in various parts of the country. Micro wind turbines are now finding favor amongst many informed people. These were originally developed for use on yachts and similar maritime vehicles.

Whether you want to offset the some of the cost of your energy use, or if you have a building in a remote location that is not on the national grid, then a micro wind turbine is seriously worth considering. They are often cheaper to purchase than the latest solar panels and can provide electricity 24 hours a day.

The energy produced is held in batteries so as to provide power even when there is no breeze.

There are two main types of configurations available – pole mounted and rooftop mounted. As a general rule, they are not often used in heavily built-up areas due to the lower wind speed that occurs in urbanised localities. Also there can be local planning regulations that forbid their use due to noise factors as well as a suggestion that they appear unsightly.

Most modern micro wind turbines can be very efficient even in a slight breeze. Though you would not be able to run lots of electrical appliances from the energy that is created, they will provide enough power to make a difference.