Dec 11 2009
Small wind power systems have detected a number of niche applications in commercial and residential markets. Small wind power systems are mostly regarded as a less-appreciated division of the renewable distributed energy generation industry.
A recent report from Pike Research stated that the growth of the global small wind market is expected to increase in the upcoming years along with revenues that are also expected to increase from $203 million in the year 2009 to $412 in the year 2013. The report also stated that the installation capacity of small wind turbines will have a global increase from 49 megawatts to 115 megawatts.
David Link, senior analyst, remarked that small wind energy is becoming popular among rural and business consumers because it is less expensive in comparison with solar energy on the basis of the cost per watt. Link enlisted the applications for small wind systems that include: agricultural applications, schools, residential off-grid power, community microgrids, remote telecom network power and government buildings. Since the power supply from the wind systems are not reliable and are intermittent in nature, they are mostly used along with other sources of energy generators such as solar photovoltaics, battery backup power, or diesel.
Pike Research through its study entitled “Small Wind Power” has analyzed the worldwide opportunities available in the renewable distributed energy generation industry for small wind power. This study also deals with business and market related issues and issues related to government-driven legislation and drivers of demand. According to this study, the year 2013 will see improvement in installation prices, system revenues and small wind generation capacity.
Source: http://www.pikeresearch.com/