Wind power as easy as buying air conditioning?
Some believe that wind turbines will dot the landscape of rural and suburban America as homeowners rush to get their power from the wind.
Business 2.0 reports that a dozen U.S. companies are positioned to sell turbines that can fit in a person’s backyard and power their home. For example, the Skystream 3.7 is a model created by Southwest Windpower, in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The Skystream can supposedly provide up to 80 percent of a home’s electricity. It’s 33 feet tall and has six foot blades, which is pretty small for a turbine. Honestly, I’m a bit skeptical that it could produce that much electricity for a house unless it’s located in an extremely windy area.
But small wind manufacturers seem optimistic, especially with friendlier government policies for renewable energy sprouting up in a number of states and the federal government. Congress could pass a bipartisan bill giving a 30 percent tax credit equivalent for the cost of a turbine, in addition to states’ incentives and rebates. Small wind manufacturers are also being strategic with their business plan: Many are targeting wealthy consumers with larger plots of land who are more likely to be able to afford the $13,000 turbine.
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I am curious about what kinds of city/county codes are going to come into play when folks want to add a 33-foot-tall turbine to their landscaping. Personally, I'd love to have them lining my street! I wonder about the idea of putting several in your own yard and then supplying power to your neighbors, too.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
This sounds great to me. I would much rather have these in my backyard than the power lines in my front yard.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
wind turbines are a great alternative then depending on the grid… the down side is the low frequencies that are produced from them. These frequencies have been known to disrupt some people with severe headaches and nausea.