The wind may be free and renewable, but the construction of a wind turbine large enough to satisfy a school's power needs is a major commitment and an expensive undertaking. The planning and permit process, purchase of the materials and components, and the construction can be a three to five year process, costing several hundred thousand dollars. Despite the challenges, schools around the country have found that not only can wind turbines provide all the power they need, some schools are operating at a profit by selling their excess electricity to the local power grid.
At a more modest level, even relatively small projects can provide a benefit to the school and the local community. A rooftop turbine, for example, can be used to power such things as a message board in the school lobby or to power outdoor lighting. This, in turn, can be a way to demonstrate the viability of wind power to the community as a whole.
Turbines of any size can be important learning tools in the classroom. The study of alternative energy is already part of the science curriculum at several grade levels. The presence of a turbine offers a real-life opportunity for further study. The planning and permitting process can be used as a civics lesson on how various government agencies work. The use of tabletop wind turbines in a laboratory setting enables students to see for themselves how this power is generated.
Fortunately, there are a host of funding sources for each of these applications. The federal government and many states offer grants and low-interest loans for the development of wind energy. Other programs offer guidance for carrying through a major project. For the smaller-scale and classroom projects, many organizations offer funding to help defray some of the costs. The programs and availability of funds is constantly changing, as some are discontinued and new ones created. It is worth the effort to research as many sources as possible to find a funding source that best matches the planned use.