Prospects for the Use of Mini and Micro Wind Power Plants in Residential Settings

The use of mini and micro wind turbines in residential settings is one element of the ever widening use of small-scale, sustainable and eco-compatible electricity generation systems. This type of machine has been greatly improved in recent times, taking on very interesting technical characteristics which mean this sector is expected to experience rapid growth over the next few years. This chapter gives a brief overview of the use of wind power for the production of electricity and discusses the main technical and economic aspects linked to the use of small scale wind turbines in residential settings, with particular reference to the situation in Italy.