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First windmill installation in Greene County pointing the way to 'small wind' savings
Cervantes' character wouldn't know which imaginary enemy to attack first, and as he said to his squire Sancho Panza, "Fortune is guiding our affairs better than we ourselves could have wished. Do you see over yonder thirty or forty hulking giants? I intend to do battle with them and slay them."
"What giants?" asked Sancho Panza.
"Those you see over there," replied his master, "with their long arms. Some of them have arms well nigh two leagues in length."
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Such a giant has found its way on a hilltop on White's Ridge Road off Route 218 in Franklin Township, about six miles south of Waynesburg. It's on the property of John Stewart, who is planning to "power up" to make an environmentally friendly kennel next to his home.
The Skystream 3.7 windmill was erected by Tri State Electricity of Waynesburg, and is intended to give homeowners a new weapon in the fight against electricity costs. It is Greene County's first windmill, but most likely not the last.
Joe Larkin from Tri State said all it takes is just an eight-mile-per-hour wind to run the windmill.
"When the wind isn't blowing, the utility supplies the electricity. But when it's windy out, the Skystream pivots to catch the best wind and provides clean, quiet electricity," he said.
"When it generates more electricity than you need, the electric meter can actually spin backwards, which means you're essentially selling electricity back to the utility."
Representatives from Tri State explained that the typical cost to purchase and install a windmill like Skystream 3.7 is $15,000 to $18,000, but it can pay for itself in five to 12 years.
Larkin said it's anticipated that Skystream 3.7 will save the average homeowner $500 to $800 a year, based on 4,800 to 6,600 kWh produced per year.
"This output would provide 40 to 90 percent of an average home's energy needs," he said.
A windmill can lower electric bills by as much as 80 percent, protect against volatile electricity prices, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and produces clean energy that doesn't affect global warming. Most importantly, it provides independence and stability for the homeowner, Larkin said.
Recognizing that the development of alternative energy sources and increased usage of "clean" power is critical to the country's future, state and federal governments offer tax incentives for the installation of alternative energy systems.
Robert Thresher, director of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, said, "This new technology is an important step forward for small wind. As technology becomes more efficient at harnessing energy at low wind speeds, small-scale users will become more and more able to take advantage of wind power."
Windmills : 10/26/2009
This article is incorrect. At a (maximum) savings of $800 per year, it will take over 18 years to pay for the minimum cost of $15,000- not 5 to 12 AS STATED! Also, that’s given the fact that you have $15,000 to time up in this. If not, then you’ll need to add interest as well. This is nothing more than typical liberal rhetoric, trying to substantiate the fallacy about ‘global warming’ or ‘climate change’ or whatever it is called this week.
First windmill installation in Greene County pointing the way to 'small wind' savings : 10/26/2009
Not to mention all those UGLY towers all over the place. Where are all those against the elect towers now?
incentives : 10/26/2009
joe s didn't take into account the federal tax credit or grant for 30% of the cost of the installation.
windmill : 10/26/2009
While I applaud the effort and the idea, I think the cost of putting one up is too costly to be practical for the average homeowner. I was just wondering if the County requires some sort of building permit or approval before erecting a windmill? Or is that the result of no zoning ? Cumberland Township has zoning, which I am in favor of, even if it is a pain in the .....er, neck....to get approval just to add a little tool shed to my property. By the way, how is a windmill any uglier than cellphone towers? Lord knows! We do need the cellphone towers with all the dead zones in this area. Ugly or not. The electric towers are a bit different. They are monsterously huge, ugly, numerous, and not safe. If I could afford a windmill, I would put one up. Unfortunately, at my age, I would have to live to be 120 before it would pay for itself!
windmill waste of money : 10/26/2009
Nice try john f but even with the 30 % tax credits and grants, you still must come up with $15000. If you don't have it, then you need to borrow it. The interest on the loan for $15,000, 12 years at 5% would be more than amount saved on tax and grants received. If you do have it, there are many places where you can invest that $15,000 that won’t take 12 years to get it back. Another item not mentioned here is the maintenance. It this windmill going to run maintenance free and repair free for the 12 years and beyond? Of course not, it is a mechanical device that will break down. This whole idea is a ripoff, designed to make you waste money.
Alternative Energy Bitterness : 10/26/2009
I can see by the comments that a bunch of coal-lovers cannot stand the thought of moving in another energy direction. Don't worry greene county will still be destroyed by coal mining, so your job is safe.
Other considerations : 10/26/2009
Joe S also doesn't mention the money earned from producing more electricity than is used. As for the aesthetics of the towers, some consider them beautiful - including the fellow who owns the land for the Somerset wind farm http://www.edibleallegheny.com/content/index.php/October-November-2009/Harvesting-the-Wind.htm.
Windmills ON A cell tower ! : 10/27/2009
Really think about it - electric goes to sponsoring municipality. $15K is too expensive for most and I think has a heavy thumb - actually it is the battery storage and conversion that cost the money.
NOT HEALTHY : 11/3/2009
There have been documented medical/health side-effects for those that live near wind-farms.
