5 Reasons to Use A Wind Turbine Generator

Wind Turbine Generators were not just invented in recent years

Wind turbine generators have been used for producing energy for hundreds of years.  Matter of fact, some of the technology that has been used to improve wind turbines in recent years was developed between 1890 and the 1940's.  It is not uncommon to see western movies with wind turbines on farms in the west.  However, consumers, not only farmers are using wind power as their source of energy in many states across our land.  These wind turbine generators may be located on farms, in residential areas, in the ocean, etc.  Wind Farms are being used in states that may surprise you.  And, more are planned to be built in the future.  The government is pushing this type of 'renewable energy' on a large scale with tax incentives that are worth checking into.  And other widely known advocates of using wind energy have come forth, such as Boone T. Pickens.  Thanks to his quest of implementing renewable resources for energy, the word has been spread even more.  In addition to Mr. Pickens quest for wind turbine farms production of renewable energy, President Obama has certainly caused a great stir in our country forecasting a great revolution of renewable energy by the year 2012.  Therefore, many favorable tax credits are available for American citizens to greatly offset the costs of implementing a wind turbine generator system for their home or business. 

Let's take a look at the top five incentive advantages for consumers who use wind energy as their home or business' energy source:

1.  Wind is free! - The wind is free and in abundance in many areas. One might think that a wind turbine would need to located in a state that has a lot of wind, such as Kansas or on the ocean.  On the contrary, wind turbines have been installed in 47 of the 50 states of the USA.

2.  Clean energy - Wind energy produced by wind turbine generators is a great alternative to traditional means of energy generation.  Energy produced by the wind is clean and so good for the environment in contrary to popular coal energy production which is a cheap energy source; however, very polluting and bad for the environment.  For instance, a small wind turbine can offset approximately 1.2 tons of air pollutants.  And, reduce 200 tons of greenhouse gases.   

3.  Slash your energy bills - Using wind power as your source of energy for your home typically lowers your electricity bill as much as 50% to 90%.  Electric bills using wind turbine energy can be $8 to $15 a month for nine months of the year.  That's according to the American Wind Energy Association!

4.  Virtually Maintance Free -  Wind turbine generators are virtually maintenance free for the first five years.  The same way you wouldn't expect your car to run for 15 or 20 years maintenance free, the same holds true for a wind turbine.  A good measuring guide is to plan to spend 1% - 2% percent of your installed cost for maintenance of the wind turbine during its life expectancy, depending on the type of turbine you have.  Wind turbine life expectancy is around 20 years.

5.  Incentives -  The government offers tax credits on several levels, such as federal, state and local.  And the federal tax credits are not just tax deductions but dollar for dollar tax advantages. Energy suppliers by law must offer "net metering" to consumers who operate small wind turbines.  This means your energy provider will buy back your unused electricity produced by your small wind turbine system.  The rate can be a premium rate in addition to the rate you pay your utility provider in the form of a credit to your electric bill.  Your electric meter actually spins backwards!   And in addition to those incentives, green energy partners, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the southern states will pay you $1000 to offset start up costs if you will sign-up with them.

Whether you have 100s of acres to build a wind farm on or just room enough for one small wind turbine, wind power is a great energy alternative for you and future generations!