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Wind Energy Questions / Answers
Wind Energy Questions: Is A Skystream® Wind Turbine Right For Your Property?
Skystream® 3.7™ is designed to make wind power accessible to more people than ever before. If your site fits the following criterias, chances are Skystream® 3.7 will work for you:
* At least 10 MPH average wind speed (best results at 12 MPH or more)
* Your property is greater than .5 acre and is unobstructed
* The local zoning allows a structure that is at least 42′ tall
* Your local utility has an existing interconnection agreement
How does Skystream work?
Skystream® is a wind turbine installed on top of a tower that converts the energy in the wind into electricity to be used in a home’s electrical system.
In a typical residential home, the home is served by the Wind Turbine Generator and a local utility. If the wind speeds are below "cut-in speed" (8 mph) there will be no output from the generator and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As the wind picks up past 8 mph, Skystream®’s wind energy wind power generator output increases and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the Skystream® wind energy wind power generator produces more power than the house needs, the meter spins backwards creating a "credit" that can be used later. All of this is done automatically without any interaction by the owner. Batteries are not required with Skystream® wind energy wind power generators.
Wind Energy Questions: How does Skystream® wind energy wind power generators then saves me money?
Depending on the wind speed average and the amount of energy consumed every
month, Skystream® typically lowers a household electricity bill by 30% to 80%. It
is not uncommon for wind energy wind power generator owners with total-electric
homes to have monthly utility bills of only $8 to $15 for nine months of the
year (based upon 2005 data). The amount of money a Skystream® wind turbine energy
saves you in the long run will depend upon its installed cost, the amount of
electricity you use, the average wind speed at your site, and other factors.
Check your local wind map here.
Wind Energy Questions: Will it help the environment if I install a Skystream® at my home?
Because Skystream® is a renewable wind energy wind power generator source, it produces no pollution, and uses wind power, you will be offsetting pollution that would have been generated by your utility company.
Wind Energy Questions Does Skystream® create and sound or interfere with TV reception?
Skystream® is extremely quiet and makes a small amount of operating sound similar to the level of a small office. It generally cannot be heard over typical background noise such as the sound of the wind. Skystream® does not interfere with TV reception.
Wind Energy Questions: Is Skystream® wind energy wind power generator dangerous to birds?
While no formal studies have been done, evidence indicates that birds occasionally collide with small wind generators as they do with any other type of structure. However, such events are very rare.
More reading: Download the "Small Wind & Birds" sheet.
Wind Energy Questions: Should my neighbors be concerned about safety if I get a Skystream® wind energy wind power generator?
No. Skystream®’s design was done in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratories. As part of this project, extensive computer modeling and field testing was done to ensure a safe design. All of Skystream®’s testing was done to internationally accepted standards for small wind safety and reliability. Your neighbors who may have some concerns about safety may appreciate the following information:
Wind tower stability: Thousands of small wind generators are installed in the U.S. every year and their safety track record is excellent. Trees are much more likely to fall than a properly installed Skystream®, but no setbacks or minimum property sizes are required for trees.
Generating electricity, safety of utility repair personnel during a power outage: In accordance to IEEE and UL, Skystream® will automatically shut down in the event of a power outage, and will not energize a dead power line. This is necessary to protect the utility line repair person.
Ice shed from rotor blades: Ice buildup makes Skystream® blades less aerodynamic, so that they turn more slowly. Typically, ice will drop to the base of the generator tower and is not dangerous.
Children and wind energy towers: In terms of educating children about not climbing structures, a small wind generator should be treated no differently than other climbable structures such as water towers or amateur radio antennas.
More reading: "Small Wind & Your Neighborhood" fact sheet.
Wind Energy Questions: Will a Skystream® wind energy wind power generator damage neighboring property values?
No. With thousands of small wind generators installed today in the U.S., there has never been any evidence to support this claim. Actually, there are several survey sources that indicate otherwise.
Wind Energy Questions Will my utility allow me to hook up a Skystream® wind energy turbine?
Yes. Federal regulations (specifically, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA) require utilities to connect with and purchase power from small wind energy generator systems. Your dealer should be able to help arrange the required utility company approvals.
Wind Energy Questions: Will my local government allow me to install a Skystream® wind energy wind power generator?
A Skystream® wind energy turbine is a structure that normally requires a building permit. Zoning regulations often limit the height, placement, and other characteristics of "appurtenant" structures, so a conditional (special) use permit or variance may be necessary.
Wind Energy Questions: Will I have to change any of the wiring in my house?
No. A Skystream® can easily be installed at any existing home without the need
to change any wiring or appliances. In most cases, the utility will install a
second utility meter to measure how much surplus electricity it is receiving
from the generator owner.
What about towers?
Towers as short as 35 feet are available with Skystream®. However in some circumstances, a taller tower may be necessary to raise the generator above turbulence created by obstacles on the ground and/or trees. Wind speed increases with height above ground, and increasing speed increases the amount of energy your generator will produce. Relatively small investments in increased tower height can yield high rates of return in energy production. A rule of thumb for proper and efficient operation of a Skystream® suggests that the generator should be 20 feet (6 meters) above the top of anything within 300 feet (about 100 meters).
More Wind Energy Questions? Click Here
You should receive a reply from a representative by the end of the next business day. Occasionally we receive a very large number of e-mails. Your response may take a little longer. If this occurs, we appreciate your patience, and we assure you that you will receive a response.