On Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:24:49 -0500, Wes wrote:

Is there someplace that has an analysis of how much energy is put into making, erecting,
and commissioning a windmill vs typical energy output. I'm wondering how long it takes to
recover the energy used to put it in place.

Since wind is a bit variable, we can assume it is somewhere in the wind corridor that T.
Boone Pickens was pitching.

I know solar cells have a lousy break even point unless the technology has changed
drastically.

Thanks,

Wes

Hi Wes,

Being as this is a do-it-yourself kind of newsgroup I checked out
http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind.shtml. It has a fair bit of
information on constructing a windmill at home, including some
discussion of a 2 kW unit that should, if one is connected to the
grid, reduce electric bills to roughly zero. Cost of construction is
variable but there will be at least a few hundred dollars in magnets
even if one is able to scrounge most of the other hardware. I'd
probably have had to tuck about $2-3000 into the project to get it
finished.

However... there were two rather large problems for me personally in
carrying out such a project, which is why I didn't go for it.

First, my location in western KY is lousy for wind power.

Second, erecting a 50 foot item in my backyard might get some notice
from the neighbors.

Third, that tower would be the tallest object for at least several
hundred yards around. Lightning is not your friend when it's close
by...

Anyway, my two cents on the topic. I'd love to give it a shot if we
lived someplace where wind was a viable option.

Best -- Terry