Is Residential Wind Power Another NIMBY?
The New York Times’ Green Inc. blog reports that Siemens AG, which has increased its investment in wind power, expects the United States to be a growth market for the wind turbine industry. Siemens predicts that the market for wind energy will grow from its current level of $40 billion to approximately $300 billion in just 15 years. And they expect a significant amount of that will come from the U.S.
The head of Siemens’ Wind Power division said this:
“We want to be one of the leading companies on the American market,” Andreas Nauen, the chief executive of Siemens Wind Power, told Green Inc. on Monday. “We are on our way, and would like to play an important role. The U.S. market is, and will be in the future, an important market to us.”
This got us thinking about residential wind power systems and whether or not homeowners will object to having such a large, severe object not just in their view, but on their own property.
While some people might see these machines as beautiful and artful, many view them as blatant eyesores which disturb the natural beauty of their surroundings. Most homeowners like the idea of becoming less reliant on the utility companies but when it comes to adding obstructions to their current property they tend to take a ”not in my backyard” approach. That doesn’t even take into account what the neighbors or homeowners association would say.
Perhaps wind turbines will work best for homeowners with plenty of land where they can position them out of sight or at least away from the house. Windmills are staples on farms and many have adopted wind turbines for other energy production needs.
Residential wind systems have come a long way in the past few years. Watch our videos on residential wind power to see how they work and learn about the financial incentives available.
What do you think? Are you interested in alternative energy production and would you put a wind turbine on your property?
I would have one installed tomorrow if I could afford one.
I believe the feds should make it mandatory that all excess power must be purchased by the local power company,for local use. Power companies should pay exactly what they charge for the power generated, either as a credit or semi monthly checks. The income should be tax free. The revenue would help defray costs of installation and maintenence
Right now is a great time to invest in a wind system. Like some of the writers have noted many state's are providing rebates for the installation of these systems. Also, check your local utility. But speaking to these systems, there are many types and designs, some that don't cost $1M. But when you buy check out the manufacturer's claim of electrical production, kick in speed – the lowest which you will produce electricity, estimated life of the turbine, zoning, and look at wind charts for your area. With this information you will be able to make good decisions on which you is good for you. Lastly with small systems and most areas of the country, don't expect to be off the grid. The systems many us can afford and put on our property just won't do it.
I have had a wind turbine for 6 years. The cost was high but the state picked up 35% and you get 4k back on your federal taxes. Mine has now paid for itself and I save about $300 a month. Electricity is just going to get more and more expensive. If you have ever bought a new car then you can afford a turbine. Your car costs you money and never pays for itself. It is amazingly quiet. It sits right on top of my horses and they are never scared or bothered at all. In the 6 years I have owned it, I replaced a $2.50 fuse. There is no maintenance. Mine is a Bergey. Go to their website and they can give you the rebates and you can find out if your area is a good candidate for wind power. Next I will be putting solar in and start getting a check every month and free electricity. This is a no brainer people.
I live near a wind farm. I absolutely LOVE the windmills. I wish I had enough land for them to put one up, but alas I do not. I think they are graceful and beautiful and anything we can do to improve the environment, and find alternative ways to power our world, we should embrace them.
Two other things. First – many energy companies are ALREADY using wind turbines to supplement coal fired plants (the coal comes mostly from Wyoming) so give them a break – although I would like to break them for this winters bills so far). Second, many of you have said that global warming is crap. Tell that to your children and their children when food crops cannot be grown in California, the Midwest and the South because they have turned into dust bowls or worse, deserts. Remember the 1920's?. If not, ask your parents! Al Gore may have stretched the truth a bit, but the earth is warming up – whether by man's hand or through natural processes, so we better start looking for ways to reduce our contribution. Now go ahead and call me a tree hugger, cause I am and proud of it!
Would I put one on my property. In a New York second. I live in Iowa and have over 500 of the commercial type wind turbines within a 50 mile radius. In fact I can see over 100 of them from my upstairs window. I love watching them! I could put one in my small backyard (I live in a small town) but would use one of the vertical turbines – they look like a piece of sculpture. Look around for incentives and grants – they ARE out there. Solar is also something I want, but it doesn't make as much sense in Iowa as wind power does.
I plan to get one someday when the price tag comes down.
You bet your bottom dollar I would have one in my back yard or where ever it was needed. I have the property to put several on, just do not, like most others, have the money to do it. As usual the ones who need it most are the ones that can not afford to purchase them.
There is 1 white (propellor style I suppose) in Palmdale, in Antelope Valley , Ca. There was a lot of wind 15 years ago in the area before Pulte, Kaufman&Broad and various other developers got the O.K. to build houses here. Now it seem the wind channel has changed. Utilitiy costs are so high I had to live with my ex-husband for a while! We need alternate energy sources and we need to truly live the independent life from foreign sources! I am finally living independent of my foreign-born husband: can the community join in?
I live in Md. I would love to have one in our backyard, but don't think we will ever be able to afford one since we don't have much property and are a very fixed income so we get screwed which ever way the government at this point tells us how it will be
my husband hauls the base part for General Electric wind turbines. i have seen a wind farm in Sweetwater TX that has 2500 towers errected. what a beautiful sight. there is hardly any noise and the surrounding towns say they don't mind them, they have helped the economy in their area. i live in KY and i don't think we have the right wind currents here. i wish more people would realize that we need to become less dependent upon our power companies. i'm sure they don't like wind turbines, they make billions form the people. if you ever get the chance, own one, they are taller than the statue of libery and are truly quiet and beautiful.
I live in South Dakota and in our area of the country wind power makes a whole lot more sense than solar.
I would love to be able to install a wind powered generator in our yard and feel it is a great idea considering the new designs that are out there that do not make hardly a whisper of noise. Here we always have wind but not as much sun as some areas.
Check out this website: WindTamerTurbines.com
My husband and I have a second home in Vermont. We have 13 acres. If we could we would do it in a heartbeat! With the economy right now, the cost of putting up one is a little above our means… I can only imagine being "off the grid"! We as a nation really need to start being independent and not dependent!
I'd just as soon see a turbine as a cell phone tower. Especially if it was on our farm and all the 5 family houses on the farm got free electricity in return for the tower being placed on our ridge top. I've often wondered why they are white. Would they not blend more with the surroundings if they were painted brown or green? I watched a very interesting show a couple of nights ago about truckers hauling the turbines from Southern and Northwestern states to be constructed in I think it was Nebraska. Very interesting.
I have 61 wind turbines within 3 miles of my home. I wish I could install one in my backyard but the local government has already stated that you cannot erect one unless you have ten or more acres. Cost of a turbine here is between 6 and 9 thousand dollars. The sad part is this; we do not get one kilowatt from the generation of the electricity. They take the land and send the power to someone else. The entire project is owned and controlled by a company in Spain.
The government should pay us to install one in our backyards, if they are serious about conservation and truly want to help us and the earth!
I live in the township of Cherry Valley, New York where a big wind turbine has been trying to get in for years.
They have a lot of people who dont want them. I only have 3 acres but would gladly let them put one on my property. I drool over the ones I see on ebay all the time but cannot afford them. People need to wake up to the fact that we need them.
I would love to have one in my own personal backyard. However, it must be cost efficient in that it must pay for itself within 20 years.
I believe that human caused "global warming" is a bunch of crap, so that does not figure into my thinking. I want to do this to go off of the grid, and mostly, to lessen my usage of foreign energy. If the US could stop using foreign oil, I think the problems in the Middle East would suddenly disappear.
In summary, I want the US to be energy independent, but I understand and totally embrace Capitalism, meaning that the costs versus the returns must make economic sense.
I personally don't give a rat's patootie what the neighbors think. I only have a small lot, and if I could afford even a small turbine I'd have one in a heartbeat. When the cap on electricity rates was lifted in my area, the very next day there was a brand new fleet of trucks in the parking lot at their site. When it was splashed all over the front page of the newspapers, they dispersed them that day. I would love to be off the grid. I don't even want to sell it back. I don't want them making a profit from my work.
My husband and I are considering it right now. After viewing my AEP bill last month it makes sense–electric rates Re always going to rise. Instead of grants, etc., the government should just give us tax credits for exactly what it costs to purchase aNd install energy-efficient/saving items in our homes and businesses. Don’t give us money, just allow us to keep what we make. You wouldn’t even need to create a new government department to implement the program—just make it an Energy Schedule doc on our tax rerurns.
I would love to have one. We are in the prosess of buying 10 acres. If the cost were right and the neighbors would not complain, count me in. Just how much money are we talking about, and how much electricity would this generate?
When are they going to start a program that people that are having trouble making ends meet can work with?We are the onesthat need the help most.They have incentive programs for big companies why can't they work out a program for people on fixed incomes so we can get a brake on our power costs.Help.H Oden
I would prefer the helix coil type in a verticle cylinder rather than the propellor style. I'm sure it would be just as efficient in my area and would blend in with almost any architecture, similar to a metal chimney. Cost & return on investment would be an issue. Does anyone now if individual residential wind turbines legal in Central PA?
Yes, they are legal and encouraged. I am looking for a vertical turbine also. I live in South Central Pa and haven't found anyone who installs them. I saw them in Arizona and they are not ugly or obtrusive at all. Let me know if you find them for our area.
The helix-styles seem to make more sense to me. I've seen them on the tops of building–laying flat like a barrel on its side–and they appear to generate a lot of power.
I have seen effective, artistic wind turbines that are not that cost prohibitive. Currently, I am looking for a piece of property to build a passive energy home that utilizes wind turbine energy. I think smart building practices and incorporating energy independence (personal) is the future.
Is this simiar to the design used by Ed Begly in CA? He dislayed a unit he installed on his home. Supposedly he is competitive with Bill Nigh the Science Guy from TV.
You better believe I would.I would like the wind turbine and also the Solar.I am all for saving energy and Money.Now all I need is the Money.
JimVBPD's comment is right on! Our farm has been checked and we have the wind needed but the price tag is too high…….if I had the money to even sport the cost upfront BEFORE the grants and incentives come back to you i certainly would but who has that kind of money? Especially as a small farm owner when the gov'ts doing everything possibly to put you out of business.
If I could afford one… Certainly, if the savings would out weigh the cost!
I am not a tree hugger, and believe this global warming thing is a farce! The global warming guru has already made billions on the idea and uses more electricity in one home than we use in this entire town daily. Now the powers that be in this area have severe restrictions for installing a wind turbine.
In a Missouri minute. That's 60 seconds in case you are wondering.
I would do it to save on my ever increasing electric bill if the savings outweigh the cost of ownership and maintenance — not because I think it would reduce carbon emissions. I think the jury needs to reconsider if global warming is real or just another scare tactic to get us to spend more tax dollars (remember the bird flu and swine flu scares?).
Another good reason to go solar and wind is to shove it to the Arabs. I'm sick and tired of them terrorizing us both economically and physically.
I agree with Missouri mule. I have no problem to have one in my back yard. I would do it in a heart beat. The city I live in in Michigan did a pilot program, testing a smaller version of a wind turbine, it was impressing. In my opinion, they look much better than all of those cell phone towers etc. The question is the cost. Perhaps it won't be so bad. As with all technology, once they have things down path, the cost will come down. I am for all things solar and wind. It is time for people to stop being complacent and wasteful and think about the advantages instead of disadvantages.
Not just the electric bill savings but let me pose the question. " How long will you do research and study reports before you finally may have to agree that global warming is real"? The scientists say it is by an overwhelming majority . Isn't that why we train scientists in college for studying these things? They have and they have said it's real. Let's don't waste time arguing about why, just do what we can to slow it down or stop it.
Here is a simple thought about investing in green technology.
1. If Global warming never happens and we do not invest – even
2. If Global warming never happens and we do invest – we clean the air a bit, invest in new technology, add some jobs, and begin to replace fossile fuel for power (which we have to do someday)
3. If Global warming happens and we do invest – we clean the air a bit, invest in new technology, add some jobs, and begin to replace fossile fuel for power (which we have to do someday)
4. If Global warming happens and we do not invest – We as a species are in for a real mess
So:
1. even
2. spend $ to gain slight advantage
3. sepnd $ to gain significant advantage
4. spend nothing now but need to spend much more in the future
There are wind turbines that are made made for residential areas. Nothing perfect but these turbines are not bad looking they look like a metal decoration
the biggest problem with wind is that it isn't very efficient.
Hope I helped
I'm sick of my "green" neighbors objecting to wind power on the ridges around here. It's better to "spoil the view" with a turbine than be unable to see the view for the smog.
I would welcome a wind turbine in my backyard if I could afford the pricetag. From what I've heard they are 1 million each. If I could afford that I could afford my electric bill.
I AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENTS, IF I CAN PAY MY ELECTRIC BILL, I WOULD BE HAPPY NOT HAVING TO CONTINUE WITH THAT, WITH A WIND TURBINE, WHICH IS WHAT ALL THE US NEEDS TO START USING THIS INSTEAD OF PAYING SO MUCH FOR ELECTRIC BILLS!