MakingEnergy.info

In my search of information about solar and wind power, I found that some people don't want to install a solar system because they think it is too costly. Another problem I have read about is the noise of wind turbines. Some think the wind turbines are too noisy and some don't agree that they are. So, I am going to go with the experts: the American Wind Energy Assocation and the Energy Department of the US Government.

The US leads the world in the production of small wind turbines. And, wind turbines are audible if you are out doors and listening for it but no noisier than an average refrigerator which is good news! And you do need wind typically 7 mph to make them turn. So, if the wind is calm the turbine is still. Furthermore, some people may be concerned with lowering property values if a wind turbine is installed. But to the contrary, there is no evidence to support this concern on adjacent or near-by properties. The cost of buying and installing a small wind energy system typically ranges from about $3,000 - $6,000 per kilowatt for a grid-connected installation, less than 1/2 the cost of a similar solar electric system.

Now concerning solar home systems. Solar home systems typically cost about $7 to $10 per watt (1 KW = 1,000 watts). Furthermore, the sun does not always shine, so the same amount of energy will not be made each day. However, I heard the sun provides 5,000 times the amount of energy each day that is needed for the planet!

You would not have the noise of the wind turbines to listen to if you used solar systems. And the panels certainly do not look bad on the residential roofs of homes so decreasing property values because of solar panels hopefully is not an issue.