Re: Wind farms power questions


"Just A User" <ken@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Kt6dnV-y2pynBefbnZ2dnUVZ_tmknZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
DirtBag© wrote:
I was driving out I-10 near Indio, CA looking the huge Wind Powered
generators ( Wind Farms) returning from AZ yesterday and started
wondering just how much electricity these things produce.. and at what
cost. In N. California we have them in the Altamont Pass. But many are
in disrepair. If I remember correctly they were a tax strategy more
than a power producer in the 80's and 90's .. Many designs. Some pretty
cool looking... I would like to go off the grid someday and wave
goodbye to PG&E. Many of my friends use Solar and Hydro now in N.
California. On the northern coast there is always a steady flow of air
coming off the Pacific Ocean. Has anyone the numbers on these things (
costs, power generated , etc.) and care to share the info.

I did research into keeping my future house in TX off grid. Right now,
wind is cheaper per kilowatt than solar, but wind is extremely location
dependent as solar is less so. If you desire to be completely off grid,
the batteries for electrical storage are pretty pricey. If you can live
with still be tied to the grid but want to reduce your use of PG&E power
you can get a grid tied inverter and go without batteries for much less.
Of course your mileage may vary depending usage.


Friends use some mountain streams and collection ponds for Hydro power. They
use a simple car alternator setup and forklift batteries ( huge and you need
a forklift to move them) One guy has a series of ponds that he trickles
water to ( very steep vertical ) then runs it into a series of pipes to a
extruder about a 1/4 inch in size which hits the alternator blade and runs
down another pipe to a lower pond and so on and on. As he lives very
remotely Grid power is out of the question. He and his family have lived
like this for years and I am always impressed not hearing the noises of
solenoids clicking on and off in his house etc. He does have a HUGE propane
tank for cooking and the refrigerator. I sleep so soundly there it is
amazing how quite a off-grid house can be. Btw: he also has several medium
size solar panels which follow the sun I believe as well. Over all cost
was mainly his batteries. He has a small CAT so he built his own ponds and
clay / plastic lined them.. The serve as swimming holes and fish bonds as
well. Pretty impressive lifestyle IMO. As he is on a wind protected side
of the mountain he said he had a guy 'rate' his wind potential but it was
determined not to be sufficient in relation to the associated costs.

-DirtBag©


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Wind farms power questions
    ... If I remember correctly they were a tax strategy more than a power producer in the 80's and 90's .. ... I would like to go off the grid someday and wave goodbye to PG&E. ... Right now, wind is cheaper per kilowatt than solar, but wind is extremely location dependent as solar is less so. ... Over all cost was mainly his batteries. ...
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  • Re: Wind farms power questions
    ... these things (costs, power generated, etc.) and care to share the ... I did research into keeping my future house in TX off grid. ... wind is cheaper per kilowatt than solar, ... Over all cost was mainly his batteries. ...
    (misc.invest.stocks)
  • Re: Wind farms power questions
    ... generators (Wind Farms) returning from AZ yesterday and started ... I did research into keeping my future house in TX off grid. ... use of PG&E power you can get a grid tied inverter and go without ... Over all cost was mainly ...
    (misc.invest.stocks)
  • Re: Wind farms power questions
    ... If I remember correctly they were a tax strategy more than a power producer in the 80's and 90's .. ... I would like to go off the grid someday and wave goodbye to PG&E. ... Right now, wind is cheaper per kilowatt than solar, but wind is extremely location dependent as solar is less so. ... Over all cost was mainly his batteries. ...
    (misc.invest.stocks)
  • Re: Wind farms power questions
    ... things (costs, power generated, etc.) and care to share the info. ... I did research into keeping my future house in TX off grid. ... wind is cheaper per kilowatt than solar, ... Over all cost was mainly his batteries. ...
    (misc.invest.stocks)