Small wind energy is a inexhaustable, renewable, no-carbon energy source that can be used to generate electricity almost anywhere. Advances in wind turbine technology are enabling even limited-wind locations to take advantage of the free energy available. In some locations, simply changing the height of the turbine's tower can solve problems with limited wind velocity. In other locations, almost any reasonable tower size can capture the prevalent winds.

Wind turbines can access the winds on the earth's surface and use it to generate electricity for homes or commercial buildings. Since the source of energy is found all over the world, this technology can be utilized virtually anywhere on the planet and is a clean, renewable energy source that is not dependent on geology or solar radiation.

Current usage of wind turbines for energy in a small turbine (home, farm or small business) situation has been limited. However, the demand for more environmentally sensitive energy sources as well as the desire to locally control them is leading to increased research and improvements in small turbine wind technologies.

Small wind turbines offer a number of advantages over traditional dependence on the electrical grid or local sources of electricity such as carbon-based power generators. Some of those advantages are:
- Reliable, comparatively simple technology
- Renewable source (self-replenishing natural resource)
- Combustion-free power generation
- Zero environmental emissions
- No contribution to global warming
- Local availability (no expense in getting power to the user)

The primary drawback to local electrical generation using wind turbines is that without wind, there is no power generation. If the power generated by the wind is not required at the time, it can be stored in batteries. However, optimum efficiency in storage technologies is still being developed. In those locations where it is available, connection to the electrical grid is typically maintained as the alternative to storage solutions. When available wind is below minimums, electricity is purchased from the utility. When wind availability is beyond local needs, the excess electricity is sold back to the utility company. Essentially, the local utility "becomes" the storage technology for small wind producers.

The total market for U.S. small wind turbines for 2009 expanded by approx.15%. Almost 10,000 units were sold to generate over 20 megawatts of new electricity. The total value was estimated to be about $121 million dollars, including equipment and installation cost (and not reduced by government or utility incentives). The dealer who sells the equipment often installs it. By 2014, PMG projects the U.S. small wind turbine market to be in excess of a quarter of a billion dollars. As of 2009, the global market for small wind turbines was approximately equal to the U.S. market but with a high concentration of installations in just a few countries.

Chapter 1: Executive Summary
- Overview
- Small Wind Turbine Market Size and Growth
- Trends and Opportunities
- Market Barriers
- Summary

Chapter 2: Technology Types
- Segments of the Wind Power Market
- Small Wind Turbine Technology
- Physical Requirements
- Types of Small Wind Turbines:
-- Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT)
-- Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)
- The Solar Connection
- On-Grid vs Off-Grid Systems
- Benefits and Drawbacks of Small Wind Turbine Systems

Chapter 3: Market Size and Growth
- Small Wind Turbine Market Size
- U.S. Market
- Global Market
- Product Description and Costs
- Small Wind Turbine Market Forecast
- Manufacturers and Product Lines
- Factors Affecting the Small Wind Turbine Market

Chapter 4: Market Trends
- Economic Conditions and Benefits
- Comparative Costs
- Interaction with Utilities
- Government Policy and Incentives
- Environmental Issues
- Market Barriers
- Global Demand for Small Wind Turbines
- Global Market Trend Summary
- Factors in Future Growth

Chapter 5: Product and Industry Trends
- New Technologies in Small Wind Turbines
- Small Wind Turbines Patents Awarded
- Innovations in Small Wind Turbine Technology
- Small Wind Turbine Industry Activity and Trends
- Recent Developments or News