New and Improved Wind Power

(Page 6 of 7)

June/July 2007
By Greg Pahl 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Greg Pahl is the author of The Citizen-Powered Energy Handbook: Community Solutions to a Global Crisis, and Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy. Don’t despair if you don’t have a good wind site on your property. Coming soon, Greg Pahl will report on wind power projects from which the whole community can benefit by pooling their resources. 

RELATED CONTENT

Net Metering

Net metering laws help offset some of the cost of a grid-tied wind system by allowing the homeowner to sell extra energy back to the utility at retail prices. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, 41 states currently require at least some utilities to offer net metering for small wind systems. For information on your state, click here.

Residential Wind at a Glance

Bergey Excel
Average Cost: $50,000*
Rated Capacity: 10 kW
Output: 1,600 kWh/month**
Warranty Stats: 5 years. Covers damage by winds up to 123 mph.

ARE 442
Average Cost: $50,000 to $80,000*
Rated Capacity: 10 kW
Output: 1,820 kWh/month**
Warranty Stats: 66 months from date of purchase or 60 months from the date of installation, whichever occurs first. Covers damage by winds up to 100 mph.

ARE 110
Average Cost: $20,000 to $35,000*
Rated Capacity: 2.5 kW
Output: 410 kWh/month**
Warranty Stats: 66 months from date of purchase or 60 months from the date of installation, whichever occurs first. Covers damage by winds up to 100 mph.

Skystream 3.7
Average Cost: $15,000 to $16,000*
Rated Capacity: 1.8 kW
Output: 400 kWh/month**
Warranty Stats: 5 Years. Covers damage by winds up to 145 mph.

*Figures are based on company estimates, and assume a 100 foot-tower.
**Estimated output assumes a 12 mph wind speed. The average U.S. household uses about 917 kWh of electricity per month.

Is Wind Power Cost-effective for You?

  • The more of these conditions apply to you, the shorter your payback period will be.
  • You pay more than 10 cents/kWh for electricity, and your electric bill averages at least $150 per month.
  • Your electric utility offers net metering.
  • You are located in a class 2 or higher wind site (click here to see a U.S. wind class map).
  • Your state has a substantial wind power rebate program that will help offset the system’s cost.
Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.