I wasn’t going to write much on wind as a power source because, for all practical intent, it does not work.

I mean, of course it works. Some. The propellors spin. But at 10 mph, I get 1 amp. At 15 mph, I get 1 amp. At 20 mph, I get 1.5 amps and at hurricane force, I get the whole 8 amps.

Today, I got 8 amps.

Today, it blew like stink. Wahoo! I love it when that happens. I just love the wind a’howlin’. It’s like a spring rain for me. A cleansing of the air.

Which is weird.

We already have clean air but, somehow, it feels even cleaner, fresher and more infigorating when it just howls.

And I make a bit of power. Finally.

But as far as value-for-the-dollar and ease of installation, windpower comes up last as one of the alternative powers. It just doesn’t produce.

And we have a relatively windy location!

The practical side of it is daunting, too. Assuming that you are a do-it-yourself type and you want to put up a tower that is (supposed to be) 30 feet higher than any nearby trees, then you are looking at a tower in the 75 to 100 foot range. It is likely not too big around – maybe a ham radio tower or a 6″ diameter pipe.

Now imagine who the owner is (that’s you!). Chances are you are in your fifties or older. Cottage age. And so now you have a 25 pound wind gen in one hand (400 watts) or maybe a 60 pounder (1 kw) and you have to get to the top and place that puppy up there and wire it in.

This is daunting. NOT impossible (Sal went up like a chimp – see past blogs for the entire story) but it is daunting for mere mortals.

Bottom line: explore the other alternatives on your option list first.