| I subscribe to many newsletters from the Union of Concerned Scientists and receive GreenTips in my e-mail inbox also. Rarely do I share them (I should) but this one caught my eye.
This month's GreenTips focuses on harnessing wind energy and residential wind power. Here in Western New York, we are having debates about the merits of wind energy and the government's role in allowing wind energy companies to move in and receive contracts for erecting wind turbines.
First, a few excerpts from the GreenTips newsletter:
Siting. Most residential wind systems require an acre or more of open property and a minimum average wind speed of 10 miles per hour (see the related links for state wind speed maps). To get the maximum benefit, the turbine should be sited upwind of any buildings and trees, and the tips of the turbine's blades should be at least 30 feet higher (at the lowest point of their arc) than any trees or structures within 300 feet. Local zoning ordinances may impose height restrictions on certain structures.
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Cost. While residential wind power systems are about 50 percent less expensive to install (on a per-kilowatt basis) than solar photovoltaic panels, the upfront costs are still high: about $3,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt, including installation, according to AWEA.
To reduce the upfront costs, first make your home as energy-efficient as possible so you can purchase a smaller system, then take advantage of state and utility incentives on renewable energy systems (see the related links). An energy-efficient home will also reduce the amount of time it takes for your wind energy system to pay for itself in the form of lower electricity costs.
This is what wind power can do. Wind power can also create jobs and stimulate the economy. If it can save you at least 50 percent of your electricity bill every month or up to 90 percent of that bill, don't you think it's worth the investment and the installation? |
