Saturday, February 6, 2010

Saturday morning chatter...

Woke up to MORE SNOW!!! Had to dig my way out of the garage, the four legger's just blasted through it!

Today's weather is really weird, it's snowing, but big patches of blue sky. The temperature is 20 degrees "feels like" 8 degrees according to The Weather Channel with 9 mph winds, but I think when snow is flying parrallel to the ground...might be a bit more gusty than that!

We keep saying that we need to invest in wind power out here...the wind NEVER stops blowing! Interestingly enough, on my way to the office, there is a home that just installed one (probably about an 80 or 90 footer) and I heard through the grapevine that the guy is a dealer, so I may stop by there and check out what they have regarding information on that technology.

If anyone can share there insight on wind technology, please...we're all ears!!

Later...R Dean

3 comments:

  1. I hope someone comments on it. I am interested too.

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  2. Hi, you blog link was just forwarded to me. We have a 10kW Bergey wind turbine that is into it's third year here at Windwomen Farm. To date it has generated 11,175 kWh of electricity for us, so an average generation of 14.2kWh/day...We are in upstate NY and have 5 acres on a windy hilltop in the foothills of the Catskill mountains.

    Everyone has wonderful ideas about the benefits that a wind turbine could bring to them, but I would like to introduce some reality first. Getting a wind turbine involves city, county and state permitting procedures as well as permissions from your local electrical company if you are going to be grid-tied, which is required if you want to take advantage of most state subsidies (in NY it's 50%). It took us 18 months from the time that we contracted with the company that erected our turbine to the time that it was actually standing, wired, and inspected. It was another 2 months until the electrical company actually came out and installed the net meter. Having said all this, I just wanted everyone to understand that it is not a short process.

    I don't want to discourage you at all, but it can be painful getting past the public perceptions. Also, they are noisy at times of high wind (which is noisy in and of itself, but even though the turbine noise is not louder it is rhythmic and easily picked out of the surrounding din) and cast moving shadows, so siting is critical. Plenty of clearance between you and the neighbors is critical. I would not install one on a plot smaller than 5 acres, more is even better. They do have moving parts and guys wires that must have annual maintenance.

    We have not regretted going through all the hoopla to get ours...it has been a boon, but responsible ownership is key to the future of residential wind power. I would be happy to answer any other questions that you might have. My email address is jonesks@hughes.net.

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  3. KMB, WOW, thanks a million for providing some insight regarding to wind turbines...I'm so sorry I missed your post! Very insightful, what you explained has yet to be mentioned in any article I have read! Great to hear some reality to the subject matter! I will have to compile some questions and get back to you! Thanks..R Dean!

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