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For small wind-powered electric systems to realistically compete with solar generated power as a viable alternative to conventional power, several factors must be in place. In 2007, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) published its Small Wind Turbine Global Market Study which reports on the limitations and supply constraints for a more rapid rise in the demand for small wind turbines. AWEA sees the following issues as the major market barriers:

• economics/cost to consumer
• restrictive zoning and permitting rules and/or costs
• visual impact/community opposition
• low public awareness/visibility
• lack of net metering
• lack of access to wind resource information or maps
• lack of financial incentives
• lack of sustained incentives and/or high subsidies for competing energy sources;
• lack of certification for turbines
• lack of certification for installers

Small Wind Turbine Certification

Recognizing that the lack of certification for turbines and turbine installers is a major impediment to a more rapid development of wind power generation in the United States, the Small Wind Certification Working Group recently adopted the organization plan for the new North American Small Wind Certification Corporation (SWCC). SWCC is a non-profit organization led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, with support from the United States Department of Energy's Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), states energy offices and wind turbine manufacturers. SWCC will work with the small wind industry, governments, and other stakeholders to develop and implement quality certification programs.

NREL & SWCC Partner Up for Small Turbine Certification
U.S. wind turbine manufacturers supplied 98% of the U.S. market and exported roughly half their product, which would equal about a third of the non-U.S. market. To help those manufacturers succeed, DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is performing independent testing on commercially available small wind turbines. Up to eight competitively selected manufacturers will provide their wind turbines to NREL for up to a year of testing, after which the results will be publicly available on the NREL Web site. This will allow the turbine manufacturers an opportunity to earn a certification granted the Small Wind Certification Corporation.

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