Although they were first introduced about a century ago, electricity-generating wind turbines continue to improve steadily in terms of effectiveness and value. The best change, as far as the average consumer is concerned, has been to the price tag. Each basic class of wind turbine, of which there are a few, has its own specific characteristics and is suited to certain applications.

One type of wind generator that has seen serious improvements in recent years is the large-scale commercial-use turbine. Some of the ways in which they've gotten better include: blade design, which makes perhaps the biggest difference with regard to how a wind turbine operates; reliability, which is crucial for a machine you intend to have active 24/7; and efficiency, generating more output even with relatively little wind. Generally speaking, commercial-use turbines are made from heavier materials, in order to work with higher winds on a more regular basis.

For that same reason, wind turbines of this type are usually placed in areas such as shorelines that receive the highest winds. This makes reliability the most important thing for these units, as their out-of-the-way locations make constant repairs a no-go. Large-scale turbines are the most costly of all modern wind turbines, usually starting in the,000 range, and often exceeding 0,000.

Residential-use wind turbines have become more popular in recent years. Early in their evolution, residential-use wind turbines were often impeded by the difficulty of dealing with the erratic wind patterns that are often present in residential areas.

Early models were also prohibitively heavy. Essentially, they were still too much like the larger versions. Ultimately, the drawbacks and costs were usually too much for many homeowners to seriously consider.

Micro turbines, the most recent step in the evolution of residential-use wind turbines, rectify the problems that plagued earlier versions. Micro turbines are designed to work with lower wind speeds, meaning that it's not required to have them mounted on a tower. There are some micro turbines currently on the market that can be set up on the roof of a house. By working constantly, even in low winds, these small units produce a steady stream of power. At a price range of about 0 to,000, these models are significantly less expensive than larger ones, but will still give you enough energy to provide huge savings on electrical bills in the long run

The price of a wind turbine usually depends upon factors such as size and capacity. Some homeowners are even building their own wind turbines, which brings the cost down even more. The free, never-ending electricity and corresponding savings that accompany a wind turbine make this worth considering for anyone.

If you would like to know the pros and cons of solar energy, take a look at Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power.

For the best guide to building your own homemade wind turbine, including detailed diagrams and videos, visit Earth4Enegry Review.

Here's another guide to building your own solar panel How to Build a Wind Turbine.