This paper presents a series of estimations performed in order to establish the actual cost-effectiveness of three different small wind turbines (SWTs) design solutions. Each of them was evaluated and based on their power curves and installation costs, using wind data from a numerical weather prediction (WNP) model, a return on investment (ROI) period was calculated. The chosen turbines are: a standard three bladed horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT), an advanced diffuser augmented HAWT and a Darrieus type vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The conclusions drawn from this study entertain the idea that from the economical point of view, a price reduction of SWT systems is more important than aerodynamic complexity and efficiency. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.