Wind Turbine

[Fredmyyster]

I have been researching renewable energy in the form of a wind turbine. Has anyone had any dealings with a turbine and how it may affect PM's ? Any info would be of great help...thanks !

[Louise Chambers]

All I can say is, at least for the big turbines, birds don't see the blades, the tips are spinning so fast. A couple of biologists doing a survey saw a white pelican killed by a turbine - that's a big bird, too.

[Fredmyyster]

Ok, the research for Solar Energy begins ! Thank you for the information

[jldoll]

photo-electric panels, solar powered by the sun.
I am surprised there is not more people from the south using the sun for there electric power.
Here in Indiana, it would take me 12 years to recover the cost of installation. Because of the poor sun light in the winter. And winter is when we use the most power.
But In texas your recovery time for a payback would be half.
All my figures are based on me, [or in your case you] doing the installation.
You need to find a good electrican to figure out how many Kill Watt hours per month and per year you use. Then figure out the equipment you need to produce and store the power.
This is going to be the future.
Good luck Jerry

[Fredmyyster]

I am a state licensed electrician so i plan on doing the installation myself. That in of itself will cut down on the initial cost. Solar cost more but if it saves the life of 1 PM it will be worth it. Apowersolutions.com is out of Houston, just 3 hours away, they sell a plug and play with grid-tie type systems i am now looking at

[jldoll]

Don't forget to look at the [your] state rebate program. Soon there may be a federal rebate.
Here in Indiana I think it's $4000 Depends on the cost of installation.
Let us know how thing work out, I think a lot of people would be interested if they knew they could recover the cost of installation in 6 to 10 years then get there electric for free after that.
Be carefull-safty first.
Remember handling the panels wile in the light. They will putting out electric current. Jerry

[Guest]

there are "bird safe" turbines. They don't look like the usual boat propeller type and may be harder to find but they are out there.

Here is one.

http://windspireenergy.com/installation ... -friendly/

[Jim Ray]

West Texas A&M and myself, for B&W Pantex/US Department of Energy are currently pre-monitoring for effects of wind turbine generators on wildlife and wildlife's use of habitat. We also are performing some fieldwork on some existing turbines on a private landowner. As turbines are installed on our property, we will begin our "post-monitoring" phase of the project.

The newer turbine designs are safer for birds, to some degree. Still, there is concern for birds of prey, rare species, and the effects on use of habitat is largely unknown. Their effects on bats are very serious, particularly if turbines are located near bat roosts. Stay tuned!

[Fredmyyster]

Interesting, thanks everybody