Is Wind Energy Right For You?
As the U.S. looks for more ways to address the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels for domestic electricity consumption, wind energy and solar energy have emerged as viable solutions for some property owners. Wind energy is a key strategy for cutting back on carbon gas emissions in the U.S. and constitutes a priority of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Restructuring the domestic energy policy depends on homeowners who are willing to invest in wind technology and reduce their consumption of the local utility’s electricity.
Two key principles highlight the advantages of investing in wind turbine technology. If you purchase a wind generator, your local electric company will supply the extra energy your household demands. If your wind generator collects more energy than you need, you can sell the extra electricity back to the electric company.
Because investing in wind technology requires a large upfront payment and is not right for every consumer, we have considered insights from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Under its electronic resources for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the DOE has identified several factors affecting the purchase of a wind system that links to the local power grid. These factors have inspired the following list of consumer questions and answers. Read these questions carefully, but keep in mind that this list does not include every consideration. If you feel comfortable with your answers to these questions, take the next step and investigate the cost of small wind systems and the process for securing a federal income tax credit from EnergyStar.gov:
1. Do you reside in a location with average annual wind speeds of at least 10 miles per hour?
Some locations are not ideal for generating wind power, thereby making the substantial expense of a home wind system a bad investment.
2. Do you pay between 10 and 15 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity?
Some local cooperatives provide cheap electricity compared to other parts of the country. If you are in a high electricity cost market, you can do a cost comparison. If you pay low costs for electricity (i.e. in the areas served by the Tennessee Valley Authority), the cost comparison may discourage you from purchasing wind technology.
3. Does your local utility charge a reasonable sum for connecting to its power grid?
Contact the local power company to see how much money is necessary to hook up a wind generator to its power grid. For green-minded potential homeowners, the decision of where to purchase or build a home might be based on the location’s potential for building a wind energy system.
4. Is building a wind turbine permitted under local building regulations and neighborhood deed restrictions?
Where you have purchased a property governs what structures you can erect on your property. There are also other considerations like safety. You can consult an engineer or a representative from the local electric company about whether a proposed site for a wind turbine is safe for your family.
5. Do you have the means and the commitment to invest in this long-term scheme for saving money on electricity?
There are different ways to afford the upfront investment in a small wind system. Talk with your local banking officer to see if you qualify for a second mortgage, a mortgage refinance, a personal loan, or a home equity line of credit. At first, you may find the startup costs of a wind system cost prohibitive, but taking a closer look may indicate that owning a wind system is within your reach.
We have various wind systems that fit a variety of consumer needs. Browse around our site at "Going Green At Home" to determine if you are a potential owner of a small wind system.
