Wind Turbine need to charge Batteries

Also, need to understand your 17.1 kWatt system... Is that the size of your inverter(s)? Or the size of the solar array?

Can you tell us about your battery bank (voltage, AH, type of cells/batteries)?

Typically, for "useful" charging, something like 5% to 20% rate of charge is "useful" (i.e., 500 AH battery bank * 10% rate of charge = 50 Amp charging @ 58 volts for "48 volt" battery bank) or 50a*58v=2,900 Watt "charging source"...

Anyway, a quick example of how to "size" the wind turbine for "useful" charging.

As Mike says, Wind Turbines are difficult install and service... 30' to 100' tower (depending on location) to get into "clean air" (above local trees, building, etc.). And that can take a lot of concrete, steel, and ability to raise the tower and service the turbine.

Depending on the size of your turbine (if you use smaller models), perhaps you can get away with a "gin-pole" tower... Easier to tilt up/down.

Most locations do not have very good wind conditions--And those that do, need turbines that can reliably harvest that wind, and shutdown in high winds safely.

Typically, the turbine is the lesser of the expenses for residential wind... The tower+concrete+wiring+controllers+any crane/bucket truck rentals, etc...

We can help--But most of the stuff we do here is solar--And usually recommend more solar (cheaper and more reliable on average).

For folks farther north (away from equator), the long dark days, a wind turbine can be a nice addition to your energy harvest... But finding reliable turbines can be very difficult.

There is a fairly active (from what I have read) Do It Yourself wind turbine community out there... And if you have the skills (and land/workshop) to build your own turbine, it can be a viable solution.

-Bill