windmills

[SPIKER]

that is something, sorry I kno0w you want to be clean & green but we won't let you cause the rich folk think it may look bad sick AL GORE on them



MarkM

 

[RonMar]

Well if you put in a solar array and grid tied inverter, this would give you pretty steady returns. Grid tied PV arrays have a pretty predictable return on investment. Then you add a DC windmill and add that to the DC from the panels to add to your returns. If The wind blows all night, then you are backfeeding the grid all night(if your house isn't using the energy) when the solar would not normally be contributing.

 

[texasjohn]

The idea is appealing....the practical and realistic implementation seems to run into such difficulties that small scale implementations by individuals seem to be almost nonexistant. I looked at the Pacwind web site... seems the closest actual installation to central Texas is nowhere in Texas, but Oklahoma, and it only showed one there.

I'd think that TBN would be fertile ground for actual implementations: technical and mechanical savvy folks, sufficient $$ to put out $10K - $30k+ when it appeals and makes sense to them (tractors are an example) and (Wayne County Hose excepted), most are in areas sufficiently rural to benefit from or allow their installation.

I'd be interested in hearing from any TBNer who has actually installed a wind generator... how is the experience going and how are the $ return working out?

 

[fishpick]

We are in the "collecting data" phase - it always seems windy... and the shingles that keep leaving the roof suggest it is windy... but the key is constant wind of the over 8mph variety for the systems that would offer any payback potential over the next 15 years.
Weather station is installed - that's it for this year.
Check out - Bergey Windpower Co., the world's leading supplier of small wind turbines - they have some good calculators / spreadsheets you can use to determine payback and capacity...