Homeowners warming up to wind power [View All]

Homeowners warming up to wind power

By LEE BOWMAN
Scripps Howard News Service
Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Some like to watch their electric meters run backward. Others plot their savings using sophisticated software programs on a home computer. Still others consider how many pounds of coal or cubic yards of natural gas they didn't consume last month.

The motivations of owners of small wind turbine electrical generators are often both self-serving and altruistic.

"Sure, we like to do things that are good for the environment, but there are also economic advantages of going with wind power," said Cathy Simms, who with her husband installed a 10-kilowatt small wind turbine at their home in Wall Township, N.J. in 2002. "Our electricity bill has been reduced quite a bit."

...

The association reports that sales of small wind systems in the U.S. rose by 62 percent last year, to $17 million, and is expected to continue growing as long as energy prices continue to rise.

...

Like many turbine owners, Rhamy also uses a second alternative energy source - in his case solar cells - to complements the wind. Thanks to a state energy commission rebate and a state tax credit, he figures the system he installed in 2002 will nearly pay for itself sometime in the next year or so.

...