This is reference manual published by the California Energy Commission.
Small wind turbines require lees wind resources than large commercial installations. But some questions still persist, like: does wind blow steadily for sustainable periods on a regular basis? What can we expect in electrical bill savings?
Small wind systems are not mere playthings for backyard hobbyists. Serious questions may arise during the planning phase:
What about the wind tower elevation?
Wind turbines should be elevated so that the bottom tips of their blades pass three times above the tallest upwind barrier, or at least 25-30 feet above any physical wind barriers (trees, buildings, bluffs) within 300-500 feet of the tower or the local treeline, whichever is higher.
What about your neighbors?
County planners advise and sometime require that permit applicants notify their neighbors before proceeding with a project as visible as a wind turbine.
For more about the planning process and energy expectations of a wind power generator download the manual: Permitting small wind turbines: A handbook. Learning from the California Experience.