The Bite:
Bite-sized and whisper-quiet, rooftop windmills put a new "spin" on a clean, renewable energy source. Put your Don Quixote Cliffs Notes away: we've got your cheat-sheet right here.
What's the latest whisper on the wind?
01.19.2007
Submitted by tmeronek on Fri, 01/19/2007 - 2:06am.
The Benefits:
- Lower your electricity bills by 30%. The energy produced by your new mill is easily pumped right into your house.
- Take a break. Many states offer tax incentives for installing windmills.
- Wind is clean as can be - even noise pollution is next to nonexistent with new minimills.
- Install a new turbine, not a new roof. Baby windmills can be customized to fit onto any structure as long as it has an open 250-ft radius.
Personally Speaking:
Jen is looking into the possibility of putting windpower on her rooftop to take advantage of the crazy Montana prairie winds. Until then, she offsets her home energy use through TerraPass.
Wanna Try:
- Southwest Windpower Skystream - just-released rooftop windmill designed with the US Department of Energy ($5,500).
- Windsave - plug into the wind using this UK manufacturer's generator ($3,000).
- Renewable Devices Swift Turbine - slightly less expensive turbine system, with video clips showing how they work ($2,900).
- Turby - Dutch-made wind turbines for rich people. Well, actually for skyscrapers, which are most often owned by rich people (€11,500).
- Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy - find out about rebates offered in your state.
- Department of Energy - check to see if wind power is available from your local electricity company.
Cocktail Fact
Gary Cooper turned down the role for Rhett in Gone with the Wind, proclaiming that the movie would be "the biggest flop in Hollywood history."
Bang For The Bite
Cost-prohibitive out of the gate, but once up, minimills pay for themselves in about 5 years. Payoffs for the planet, however, come breezing in immediately.
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