I'm going to have to keep an eye on this home wind turbine kit. Supposed to be as close to plug-n-play as you can get. It plugs into an outlet, and doesn't require any power company intervention (it produces power grid ready electricity). they also are developing solar that is plug-n-play.
Not that we use a lot of electricity, but for the last couple of years I have been looking into wind power to replace some of what we use. Most of the systems are well into 5 figures (the Clarian expects to be around $800), you need a tower that rises above the trees (holy cow, that would be expensive) and they charge batteries so you have to have room to store all the equipment. Additionally, the power company has to get involved to ensure that there isn't backfeeding while line workers are making repairs to the power grid.
The only downside to the Clarian system is that it is designed to shut down during power outages (to protect line workers), but we have a generator so that isn't a deal breaker. Also, they are developing a battery back up so that might be useful.
They are also developing solar power generation that is along the same lines; plug-n-play. Don't think that would be my first choice around here, but those that are more southern states might benefit from it.
Anyway, I'll keep my eyes peeled as the do-it-yourself nature of the Clarian wind turbine really appeals to me.
Hat tip to Scary Yankee Chick (found thru Jay G.) for supplying the link!
That looks good, Bogie. We (nearly everyone in our rural area) had small wind turbines to keep the battery charged that ran our radio that looked like miniature windmills. We had windmills, of course, for pumping water.
Posted by: Cop Car | February 12, 2011 at 06:03 PM