Wind Power
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After some research we have decided not to have a windmill because...
- The cost of a windmill system is expensive and has to be paid for all at once while the solar power system can be built up pieces at a time as funds are available.
- Wind only gives unpredictable power gain. We know how much power our panels will give us on a sunny day, and how many sunny days we have. Determining these things for wind power are more difficult and complicated given the variablility of wind velocity and the vaguaries of wind direction and how wind works around obstacles.
- Windmills require maintenance which is more frequent and difficult than our solar power system
- Windmills have to be mounted way up high in the sky to be above objects like bushes and houses that interfere with getting consistent and constant wind speed and direction. The tower height adds expense, and adds difficulty to the maintenance.
- Every windmill we have been around makes noise. Some of the just whizz and whir, but it is a noticeable amount of sound we would rather not add to our quiet environment. Other wind generators outright scream and squeal in a most distressing way.
- Lastly although our area is very windy in general, it isn't consistent or persistent at any particular speed. We get everything from dead calm to gentle 7-12 mpg breezes to 70 mph winds and can they can all happen in 3 days. No one type of windmill will create power at all these wind speeds.
