Wind Power as a Viable Alternative Energy Source
Almost every home is hooked into the local electric company’s grid and that is a lot less expensive initially than to set up and hook into wind turbines. In the long run though utilizing the wind for your energy needs will save you money. It also allows you to become more independent of the big electric companies.
While electric bills and fuel bills are constantly rising, the cost of installing and hooking up a turbine is steadily coming down as demand rises. The cost of wind turbines is decreasing because the various companies producing the turbines are enjoying more commercial success and their research is making the turbines more and more efficient. People are motivated to get away from the traditional energy sources and turn to wind power for their energy for several reasons.
- The cost of energy generated by a wind turbine is zero.
- For personal reasons including desire for greater independence.
- The desire to live remotely or rurally without having to “go primitive”.
- Political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on oil fields or power grids,
- Concerns about the environment.
As people move in this direction it gives more businesses opportunities to profit from wind turbine production and maintenance, which drives their costs down for the consumers.
In more than half the states and many of the provinces in Canada at this time, homeowners who remain on the grid but who also choose to use alternative forms of energy are eligible for rebates or tax breaks from their governments. These breaks and rebates can end up paying for as much as 50% of their total “green” energy systems’ costs. In addition, there are as many or more states and provinces that allow these homeowners to sell their excess energy back to the power company under what are called “net metering laws”. The rates that they are being paid by the local power companies for this energy are standard retail rates. This means that the homeowners are actually profiting from their own energy production.
A push is on to get the federal governments to mandate these breaks and incentives in all states and provinces. Japan and Germany already have national incentive programs in place. However, many times these laws are handled regionally by state or provincial law which makes them a little more difficult to implement. There is also some resistance from power companies who feel that it’s unfair that they should have to pay retail rates to private individuals. They think they should only have to pay the wholesale rate for this electricity. However, the companies seem to be more worried about losing short term profits than about the benefits, especially in the long run, of the increased use of wind turbines or wind farms which is really quality power that strengthens the grid.
Having a reduced electric bill or none at all while enjoying the advantages of the modern lifestyle is a really great feeling.
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caeqo posted on February 22, 2010:
I am checking into using wind for power on my next home out in the country. How does it work in the city though?
pharmacy technician posted on February 26, 2010:
nice post. thanks.