Assessing the value of small wind-turbines

Interest in roof-mounted wind turbines is spreading, even though their installation is hardly ever recouped in electricity savings.
(From The New York Times)

The story "Assessing the value of small wind-turbines" published September 5, 2008 at 7:32 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[iphoneclassic]

I wanted to install Air-x in my backyard. One issue I have is the type of tower. None of the available towers are suitable for a suburban backyard of size 1/4 acre. Gayed cable tower doesn't work for me. I would like to have a 25-30 foot free standing lettuce tower. I know it may not generate a lot at that height. My city allows back yard small wind turbines but has a wierd condition that atleast 50% of your neighbours(who share fence) should agree. My neighbour has a ornamental windmill about 8-10 foot high, and it spins a lot.

[plbyrd]

Wind power is not without an environmental cost, and it's definitely something that has a potential to change weather patterns. It takes energy from the wind and converts it to energy pushing electrons. The energy removed from the wind means that the wind leaving the turbine is slower than it would have been without the turbine, which means it will dissipate more quickly and areas that would have received the fringes of the wind will get no wind at all. This can affect pollination of plants and also the behavior of animals such as birds. We don't know the full effects of reducing wind because it's never been a real issue before, but I suspect when areas with massive wind farms start seeing environmental changes that people are going to be just as mad at wind farms as they are at dams and power plants.

[dargon19888]

Don't forget the bats!
You need to save the bats!
While many are freaked out by them, they do a lot of good around the house. They love to eat nasty bugs!

[tech_crazy]

Exactly. People just fall for the hype and start adopting things, often without any regard to the consequences - cost, long term environmental effects etc.