Energy potential and economic viability of small-scale wind turbines

Small-scale wind turbines (SWTs) have the potential to complement residential PV systems, but their feasibility is highly dependent on local wind conditions, particularly at low elevations where wind resources exhibit high spatial and temporal variability. This study evaluates SWT potential in Poland (Central Europe) using hourly wind speed measurements over six years from 269 gauging stations. A generic power curve is applied to assess wind energy generation at 173 sites with sufficient data completeness (>95 %). The economic viability of SWTs is analyzed through levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), capture price, and self-consumption, with the latter two serving as key indicators for investors exposed to dynamic (day-ahead) electricity market prices. The results reveal that only 13 sites (7.5 %) achieve a capacity factor above 10 %, a threshold comparable to PV systems. Additionally, SWTs and PV exhibit low daily complementarity, as both technologies tend to have coinciding generation peaks around midday, which limits their combined effectiveness in hybrid setups. While SWTs outperform PV systems in terms of annual power generation in selected locations, investments should be preceded by site-specific wind resource assessments, and support schemes must be carefully designed to avoid subsidies in low-potential areas. The findings suggest that without significant cost reductions or targeted policy incentives, SWTs are likely to remain a niche solution rather than a widespread alternative to PV. • Small wind turbines are characterized by very a low capacity factor of 3.75 %. • Only about 7.5 % of locations achieve a capacity factor greater than 10 %. • Small- and large-scale wind turbines generation are highly correlated (r = 0.85). • The daily peak of small wind turbines coincides with PV peak generation. • LCOE as low as 0.223 €/kWh at sites with favourable wind conditions.