Your alternative theory is right. What they mean is that the turbine costs $250k retails, setup costs excluded. And these will add 10% easily - foundation, elec

Your alternative theory is right. What they mean is that the turbine costs $250k retails, setup costs excluded. And these will add 10% easily - foundation, electrical network link etc. And the turbine generates 250kW of peak power under ideal (right wind) conditions. So the $1/W figure is, as you say, a one-time cost. Maintenance should be pretty low however.