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My Wind Turbine: Part 1
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By Inspired Protagonist - June 8, 2009

Wind TurbineFor several years, I have wanted to install a wind turbine to do even more to mitigate my impact on global warming. For the past 18 months, I've waited patiently for our local alternative energy company, Earth Turbines, to ready their product for market. Faced with ongoing delays while they perfect their technology I decided to go instead with a 10 kilowatt Bergey wind turbine.

Step one in the process is clearing the site where the turbine will be installed. That took much of my weekend. (There is something cathartic about clearing land. I always experience a degree of absolute physical exhaustion that is uncharacteristic of any other type of exercise.)

The next step in the process is permitting. Vermont has been sadly hostile to wind power, though residential turbines are much simpler to get approved than commercial installations. Recently a new law was passed that guarantees any electricity generated by a residential turbine must be purchased by the local utility at $.20 a kilowatt hour. This is called net-metering, and it's not a bad deal considering that here in Vermont we pay between $.10 and $.13 for the energy we purchase. Solar gets an even better deal at $.30 a kilowatt hour.

Well, I've made the rounds to talk with my neighbors about the project, most of whom seemed pretty enthusiastic. They will have the option of objecting to my permit application, but they all have pledged their support. Now I've got to wait between 30 and 60 days while the town processes the application.

My turbine will cost about $50,000 before rebates and tax credits. There is a cash incentive grant worth $12,500, which lowers the net cost to $37,500; and then a 30% federal tax credit that will further reduce the cost to about $25,000. I expect the turbine will generate at least 8,000 kilowatts a year. If I sell all the energy to the grid, it will generate about $1,600. That means that it will take about 15 years to break even on my investment -- unless the wind blows harder or the tax credits go up! Stay tuned…

Comments
Congratulations on your new
Posted by lilmissdisney | Wed, Jun. 24, 2009

Congratulations on your new wind turbine! At that price I think I am going to be stuck with normal electricity for a long time :o(. I don't know why I thought that wind turbines were cheaper than solar. I guess not, they seem more expensive.

Wind Turbine Project
Posted by Ramseyride | Thu, Jun. 25, 2009

In reference to your story on the wind Turbine, Just wanted to give a "heads up".
A neighbor of a friend located in Long Beach Island, NJ went on the same Wind Turbine endeavor. He received Federal approvals and credits, State approvals, County approvals and Town approvals and all necessary permits to install and operate his Wind Turbine. He put it up, working fine when his neighbor, said the sound generation from the Turbine was much louder than was proposed. She took him to State Court, Court agreed with the woman and this three year project had to be taken down. Again, he had everyone's approvals in the beginning.
Best of luck, but be cautious!

Don't do it
Posted by Mercenary | Mon, Jun. 29, 2009

I use to love the idea of wind and solar power until I and a friend did the research. In our area, the actual production of wind power is estimated at 13% of the turbine's rating. Near my friend's new house, they are clearing hill tops to put up generators. They cut down 4 acres of mature trees to put up 1 generator.

Take this example. The project will take 15 years to break even if all the power is sold to the power company at an inflated price and only with large tax breaks. A quick internet search of the average electrical household usage came up with this page. Which states that the average usage in this rural coop was 18 kilowatt hour per day, or 6,570 kilowatt hours per year. (Your number may vary, but this is good as any for an example.) So now your earning ($0.13 (best case per your stated rate) * 6570) + ($0.20 * 1430) = $1140 per year. At this rate it will take over 20 years to break even. The estimated life span of this equipment is 20-25 years. Are any maintenance costs included? Have you determined the kilowatt hour cost to the tax payer to produce "your" electricity.

I know we have to move off oil & natural gas. I no longer believe this is the way to do it.

Personally I believe using the tax breaks to put a $2,000-$5,000 solar hot water heater on dozens or hundreds of houses is a much better solution than putting up one wind generator.

Good job!
Posted by kerskine | Sun, Jul. 5, 2009

This, and any attempt to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels or nuclear energy, is worthwhile, whatever the cost. Good for you on your resolve and your example to the rest of us. Sure, you might not be making money off of it, but is that really the point? You're doing the right thing and starting a trend. The windmill itself is a very visible ad for everyone and should, at least, provoke some thought. Best of luck!