Residential Wind Power: Catch the Wind at Home
(Page 2 of 2)
January/February 2008
By Jim Hackler
Research your area’s zoning restrictions by calling the local building inspector, board of supervisors or planning board. The Manns were pleasantly surprised that Atlanta’s planning and permitting departments were so supportive. “They allow renewable devices and they spell out the wind power guidelines,” Curt says.
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Sticker shock
Price is the biggest hurdle most people face when considering wind power. “It costs $3,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt of capacity to install a wind turbine,” Stimmel says. “Because the power of wind varies so much from place to place, it can cost from $12,000 to $55,000 to install a turbine large enough to power most or all of your home.”
There’s no federal tax credit for small wind systems, although the AWEA is pushing Congress to instate one. Local, state and utility incentives can make a turbine more cost effective. Many states offer net-metering, in which surplus electricity your turbine generates feeds back into the grid, giving you a credit on your utility bill. Check your state’s incentives.
Even without incentives, a home with higher-than-average winds and utility bills higher than $150 a month can recoup the price of a system in as little as six years, the AWEA says. That’s especially true for homes in rural and isolated areas where the cost of extending utility lines can be $20,000 to $30,000 per quarter mile.
When shopping for a wind company, ask your dealer and installer for references from satisfied customers. The United States is the world leader in small wind turbine production and is working with NREL to create a new certification process.
Clearing the air
Another issue that can crop up with wind power at home is opposition by homeowner’s associations. While a few neighbors have signs protesting the Manns’ turbine, the couple says many others have left notes on their door thanking them for doing it. AWEA provides suggestions for a public relations campaign to persuade your neighbors and government officials before installing a wind turbine to ease the transition.
Curt and Christine admit their Atlanta yard may not be optimal for harnessing the wind because of its low elevation. However, they say they’re already experiencing a payback that’s more valuable than saving money. “Our 9-year-old son is studying conservation and the environment, so he photographed the installation as a civic lesson for his fourth-grade class,” Curt says.
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