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Why can’t we find small wind turbines on the market that could, for example, recharge at least part of the battery of an electric vehicle? asks one of our readers, René Minot.
Like the latter, you have probably never seen wind turbines on the roof or in the yard of your neighbors in Quebec. However, domestic wind turbines exist and can be purchased on the Canadian Tire, Amazon or Walmart websites. There are various sizes, shapes and powers for prices ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
According to Jean-Pierre Desjardins, renewable energy trainer for the Écohabitation organization, most of these small wind turbines would have the capacity to recharge the battery of an electric vehicle or power lighting in a house. But why are they so unpopular in Quebec? According to data provided by Hydro-Québec, there are a total of ten producers who use wind turbines as a source of production, eight of which are residential customers.
“Photovoltaic solar power has fallen in price so much that, economically, domestic wind turbines are no longer competitive,” Mr. Desjardins immediately indicates. For an individual, it would cost two to four times more per watt to use domestic wind turbines than solar panels. In this context, several companies have even stopped manufacturing them, notes this former lecturer at UQAM.
Often, domestic wind turbines will not deliver the power promised, as the necessary wind conditions are not met. “Your 1000 watt wind turbine, in Montreal, could only provide you with 100 watts,” Mr. Desjardins gives as an example.
The situation is different for large wind farms that are being developed in Quebec. The cost per watt is greatly reduced when you choose the ideal site and install large wind turbines on tall towers.
The choice of self-production
In most cases, there are few economic advantages for a home connected to Hydro-Québec to self-produce its electricity, even with solar panels. This is because the prices offered by the state company are very low. But for homes located in an unserved area or for people who want to use less hydroelectricity out of conviction, wind energy can be part of the solution.
“Some autonomous houses in Quebec have wind and solar power. Theoretically, having a hybrid system is very good, because it is windier in winter than in summer and there is more sun in summer than in winter,” underlines Mr. Desjardins.
You still need to be located in a sufficiently windy place. You must also have authorization to install such a wind turbine. As they are often noisy, some municipalities have regulations that restrict their presence or use.
“Go see your neighbors,” the specialist also advises, to make sure that you are not going to alienate them. To get help with a self-production project, Mr. Desjardins suggests consulting the Énergie solar Québec directory. Many of the consultants, installers and sellers recommended there also offer products and services related to wind turbines.
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