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Green Home May 7, 2008

Home Wind-Power Turbines Going Mainstream

How Wind is Becoming A More Viable Energy Option

In April an article appeared in the New York Times; Technology Smooths the Way for Home Wind-Power Turbines, a clear sign that wind power is becoming more mainstream, as the article actually goes on to relate.

Excerpt:

“Back in the early days, off-grid electrical generation was pursued mostly by hippies and rednecks, usually in isolated, rural areas,” said Joe Schwartz, editor of Home Power magazine. “Now, it’s a lot more mainstream.”

That above excerpt sums up the situation pretty nicely. I remember being amazed when I saw wind power in, I think, Mother Earth News. It was surprising, because I knew so little about it, and that was around 2000 or so. It just hasn't been a big topic among the conventional world.

The New York Times relates the following points about the new up a coming wind power acceptance.

  • Technology has made it simpler to have a wind system set up, without a bulky battery source as backup.
  • While federal incentives for wind power do not currently exist, many states have their own incentives set up for those using wind power.
  • It's estimated that eco concerns, more than cost savings are driving wind power installs.
  • Urban folk, more so than rural, may be unhappy seeing big wind towers set up.

Of course the article goes more in-depth. Read the whole article.

To learn more about wind power check out the following:

Wind Turbine Power: Farmers Turning the Wind Into Gold 

Find Out if Wind Power Will Work on Your Land

Inexpensive Residential Wind Turbine - Wind Power - Alternative Energy for Your Home

Can You Harness Wind Power or Not?

What YOU Should Know About Wind Power!

Can You Use Wind Turbines to Power Your Home?

Residential Wind Power

 

 

urban wind?

| ellen | May 7th, 2008

Hi Jen,

the article is inspiring but we've been trying to find a wind solution for a brownstone and have been unable to. Have you heard of wind on that small a scale?

Ellen

Have you heard of Grow from

| jchait | May 9th, 2008

Have you heard of Grow from Smit - http://www.riverwired.com/blog/awesome-solar-and-wind-system-greener-bui...
it's in prototype but if it comes around will be awesome, it fits right on the side of buildings, but is wind (and solar). As for sooner options I haven't heard of smaller systems often, although I did recently hear about one couple who put solar / wind on their condo top - that was a really small system, I'll see if I can find it and also ask around. If I see something feasible I'll post it.

grow is gorgeous!

| ellen | Jun 25th, 2008

we saw it and we love it! wish it was available!