"Green" Power

I've been looking at the Do you shut down your PC? thread started by our friend, BigBazza, and it got me thinking that I would like to invest in some residential-scale renewable energy sources. (At least enough to cover my more frivolous energy demands)

I've seen statistics for industrial/commercial scale wind generators, and their conservative figures were impressive, but I haven't found anything on residential scale wind generators, or solar panels.

Thought I would open up a thread, seeking the opinions of anyone who has tried out these type of generators, or to post relevant information.

Anyone else should also feel free to post their opinions on the worthiness of an investment like this.

Whatever you go, I'd like to hear it, ladies and germs!

 

Here's a residential windmill that, at the time of the article, costs about half that of others of its kind. Still expensive though.Link

If that's too costly for you, just build your own! I found a really nice walkthough a while back. It takes you through a man's construction of a backyard wind generator and it costs much less then commercially available models. http://www.mdpub.com/Wind_Turbine/index.html

 

Okay, THAT is flippin' cool!

As for buying one, you are right! $10-12K to save $500-800 a year! Worst case scenario, it will take 24 years to see a return!

I'll definitely have to look into making my own!

 

I have some friends that put in solar panels…I didn’t read the article, I’ve read lots from the Mother Earth Mag’s…whether you use wind, sun, or water, you can after using all the you need, sell the excess back to the power company….you don’t sell it back, but your meter goes backward……I live in California, and you can get tax money breaks, don’t know about other states, and places that ya all live at……..wobbles