Small wind turbines are systems which have lower energy output than large commercial wind turbines.  Small wind turbines added a total of 17.3 MW of generating capacity throughout the United States in 2008, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

Turbines should be mounted on a suitable tower to raise them above any nearby obstacles.  A common practice is that turbines should be at least 30 feet higher than any structure within 500 feet.

Small wind turbines range from 400 watts to 100 kW.  Two styles of wind turbines are horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT).