Wind Generation – Does it Work in the Carolinas?
February 26, 2008
Can wind produce cost efficient power in the Carolinas? Germany is now producing 7% of its entire electrical power from wind, so the answer is "Yes"! Is wind power a new technology? The answer is "No". Over 8 million windmills have been installed in the US since 1860. But the windmills of the American West have come a long way. Today, you can purchase a wind generator for your home for between 10 to 15 thousand dollars. A typical home needs between 800 and 2,000KWH per month of electricity, and a 4 to 10KW wind generator can meet this demand, if your site is suitable for wind. This cost is approximately one sixth the cost of a comparable solar photovoltaic system.
So the next question is "Is my site suitable for wind generators?" If you live in the Carolinas and you live anywhere but the coast or the mountains, then the answer is probably "No". The only suitable sites in the Carolinas are right along the coastline, and along the mountain ridges of the Appalachians. Of course, then you get into the "I don't want it next to my yard" mentality of so many homeowners. However, this mindset is changing. A recent study in Western North Carolina about public attitudes on wind power found that most citizens are favorable toward the development of wind power in the Appalachian Mountains. In fact, it was a 2 to 1 margin that ridge top wind generators should not be prohibited, and 3 out of 4 felt that if there are already cell towers on a ridge, there is no reason not to add a wind generator on the same ridge.
There are many products available, but the one you are most familiar with is the tower with a three-bladed wind generator on top. There are new products out which actually are made to mount to your building, but once again, you have to have a good site. The wind generators (called turbines in the industry) were historically high maintenance, but in the last 10 to 15 years, the products have become much more robust, often able to go 5 years without maintenance.
Another good question is "Does wind work well with other renewable energies?" Wind energy is seasonal and usually is higher in the winter and lower in the summer: just the opposite of solar energy. Therefore, wind generators work very will with solar photovoltaic technology, which has a general peak of power production just the opposite of wind. Wind and solar together combine for a very good renewable system, as long as the site is right. There are wind maps that will tell a landowner if their property has good wind potential. Consult with a renewable energy professional today to see if you can harness the wind for your energy needs!
