Case studies

When Maree Handy built on a remote property near Fairlie in South Canterbury, she had
the choice of connecting to the nearby electricity lines or building her own stand alone
power system. Being independent from the grid and never receiving another power bill
was appealing - so she opted for her own ‘little power station'.

Small wind turbines can generate electricity for use on the farm, business and home. Wind turbines can co-exist easily with other farming practices, and have been used for decades on European farms. There is a wide range of turbines suitable for use in New Zealand, ranging from micro-scale to larger commercial-scale systems. This guide to wind power schemes is aimed at a farming audience, and includes practical examples.