I need some input on Wind Power Generator Savings!?

Question

Hi Folks,

I'm considering installing a wind power generator on my property as well as several solar panels. Where I live, I have hot water baseboard heating and an electric hot water heater. My property is well positioned for this type of application. I have 3 acres right by a lake and the wind blows 50 to70% of the time. I've got a local representative coming over in a few days to do a complete assessment of my property. My power bill is $320.00 per month. Can someone give me and idea of what your power bill or actual CASH MONEY SAVINGS IN YOUR POCKET have been as a result of installing solar applications on your property? I think it is a tremendous investment and I see only high energy costs for the rest of my life. I just retired and don't like what I see. I'm looking at investing over $20,000 to get this done. This includes a wind power generator cemented into the ground. Does anyone have these wind generators installed on their roof? Thanks folks!

Answer 1

Depending on your state and taking full advantage of rebates and tax write offs, you should have the system paying for itself in about 5 years and max without that stuff, about 9 years.

I would convert my hot water heater to gas, especially if you are thinking about an on demand system. Because I'm assuming the base board heating is gas? If not, that could explain your high utility cost. Gas is more efficient as an energy source.  If gas is not an option, then I would couple the hot water system with a solar hot water system, this is cheaper than more photovoltaic panels.

I would not put the wind turbine on my roof for maintenance issues, and if you have a large enough body of water then wind at lower levels should not be a problem.

Shop around 20K should get you a system that will cover your electric needs.

Answer 2

I cannot answer all of your questions, but I'll try to help with some.  

First off, my hubby works on the giant commercial wind turbines.  Second, he and I live/own/work on a permaculture farm.  We are quiet dedicated to living not only environmentally friendly lives, but as independently as possible.  Independance to us means freedom from bills, like power, fuel, ect.  (we already make our own biofuel).

We will be building our own straw bale house, totally off grid, powered and heated with solar, wind and a Central Boiler (brand name).

My husband has been doing research on household wind turbines.  Thus far his absolute favorite is the Skystream 3.7.

He likes it so much he's concidered becoming a dealer/installer of them.  However he's waiting to make that final decision AFTER we have one of our own, and make sure it really performs as advertised.

The Skystream has the ability to have it's tower lowered to the ground, to make repairs.  This is a HUGE bennifit to the average homeowner who does not have big cranes to lift them up to where it needs to fixed.  The tower is bolted onto a hinged base, set in concrete.  

Here are a couple of links to info about Skystream 3.7's.

http://www.genproenergy.com/skystream_wi...

http://www.skystreamenergy.com/skystream...

For the actual money savings, you need to sit down with a calculator, the average energy outputs of whatever turbine you are looking at (NOT the peak output!) and what you predict your average amount of wind is going to be.  Wind and solar can be so VERY varriable from place to place!  

Also be sure to check out if your state has tax savings if you install wind or solar.  Some states (like Nevada) are VERY generous, and with your tax write offs, the installation will very nearly end up being free in the end.

My husband and I also view investing in solar & wind power for our house to be an investment in our retirement security.

Having land near a lake is GREAT  for wind!  Nothing to slow that wind down as it comes across the water!  

My husband has not found a single wind turbine that roof mounts that he conciders to be worth a darn.  Thus far, his favorite is the Skystream 3.7.  We do not yet own on, nor are we in any way affiliated with the company.

It is however the wind turbine we will be installing to help power our straw bale house.

Hope this information helps you a bit.  

By the way, with your solar, do you know the difference between passive, and active?  Passive solar is solar that generally speaking heats up the water your house uses.  Sometimes that heated water is also run through your floor to help heat your house.  With active solar, you are converting solar radiation into actual energy and trapping the engery in batteries.  Active solar is a lot more work, but you produce actual power to run things with it.  Trade off of course is having to mess with those huge batteries.

~Garnet