Sunday, March 29, 2009

Solar or wind which is better

I received an email the other day for someone that I had given a bid to back in October for a new wind turbine. He wanted to know which would be better solar or wind by cost.

So I took a look at the both of them together.

To produce 400 kwh a month was what I figured for the amount of power each system would have to produce each month.

Solar:
You have to have room for 16 solar panels at 224 watts, 3584 watt total each panel is 65"X40", no battery backup, grid tied.
The cost is $27,435.00, Rule of thumb $8/watt of panels to be installed.

Wind:
You have to have 3' of room for one pole 60' tall and 2.4 kw generator, grid tied.
The cost installed is $19,698.00

That is $7,737.00 difference, so wind is cheaper cost wise.

Now each unit will do better some days than others. But I do not know about you but it seems that there are more windy days than sunny days here in Michigan and I lived here most of my life.

Solar you are limited by 4.2 peak hours, when the sun is the highest in the sky, of sun making power and then you are done.

Wind it can blow all night long and you will still be making power.

FYI: Wikipedia - The upper two thirds of the lower peninsula and the upper peninsula of Michigan get 83 to 100 days of sunlight.

Michigan is the 14th windiest state in the United States.

So in my opinion wind is the better choose for us here in Michigan. The best way is to have both, because they can play off one another.

But who can afford both.

So I believe the chose is clear wind is the best for us here in Michigan. In the next few weeks I will be installing a solar radiation sensor on my weather station to keep track of how much solar radiation there is each day. You will be able to see that information on my weather page .

I will put an update on this blog when I have completed that installation.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Habitat for Humanity

Just a reminder that next weekend I will be at the Grand Traverse Region Spring Flower and Garden Show.
Dates: April 3-5
Times: April 3-4 10am - 7pm April 5 10am- 4pm
Location: Grand Traverse County Civic Center

This is a three day event, stop by my booth #16 and say hello.

Sign up for my prize that I am giving away. We are giving away PowerCost Monitor which allows you to monitor you house's energy consumption.

So mark it on your calendar and I hope to see you there!!!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

11% Electric Bill Increase

The two largest utility companies in Michigan want to raise your electric bill.

DTE and Consumer's Energy both proposed a rate increase of about 11 percent. The state still has to approve the rate hike.

So give us a call and let us see what we can do for you to reduce electricity needs and show you how you can make your of power for your home.

This video was on 9 & 10 News

Monday, March 23, 2009

Wind is In!!!

You to could have one of these in your backyard. Now until the end of April we are offering $1000.00 anyone that orders before April 31, 2009. We currently have a turbine in stock and ready to be installed. So give us a call today. We will install a wind turbine for you, any where in Michigan.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Turbine in stock

Next we will be starting to try and keep one turbine in stock for immediate purchase and installation. We will not be carrying the tower because of storage issues. But the towers are usually a couple of weeks out from the time it is ordered.

By keeping a turbine in stock we will be able cut that wait time in half before one can be delivered.

The promotion for the month of April is for $1,000.00 off a total installation.

For example a turbine on a 33' tower normally costs $15,150.00 with the $1,000.00 off it is now $14,150.00.

With the 30% tax credit, take another $4,245.00 off. Now the turbine costs $9,905.00, that is $5,245.00 off , a very large savings to you.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Spring "Blowout" Sale


We are offering $1,000.00 off the installation price on any orders placed by April 30, 2009.

Combined with the Federal tax credit of 30% off the total installed price, means more savings to you.

If you purchase more than one wind turbine, you will get $2,000.00 off each additional unit.

Now is the time to buy your spring wind turbine before this offer runs out!

Units starting as low as $14,150.00 installed, with discounted offer. Regularly priced at $15,150.00

Call us today to schedule your free site assessment to see if a wind turbine is right for you.

A wind turbine could save you as much as up to 80% on your monthly electric utility bill.

So don't wait! Call today (231) 668-4626 .

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Skyview 2.0


For those who own a Skystream wind turbine you will be happy to know that the latest Skyview has been released for download. It has a lot of great new features. Now you will be able to bring data out of the memory that is in the Skystream itself, so you can see how much power it has produced. This is something that you where not able to do before.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Update on the tax credit for small wind turbines

Q: What does this mean to me?

A: The entire cost of a Skystream system (plus installation) is reduced by 30 percent provided you have a tax liability over
the course of two years. Depending on where you live, you could save even more! States have also implemented rebates for
small wind systems which can be used in addition to the Federal credit. Furthermore, in the last two months alone, more than
30 states have introduced legislation that either expands incentives for renewable energy and/or addresses market barriers.
Learn more at http://www.skystreamenergy.com/incentives.

Q: How does a tax credit work?

A: Typically, a tax credit is money that you can deduct from any money owed to the federal government at tax time (tax
liability). The small wind tax credit can be carried over two years after the product is installed. For more information on how to
take advantage of the credit, we suggest that you speak to a tax specialist.

Q: I don’t normally owe taxes – how can I claim the credit?

A: You can only claim the credit based on what you would owe in taxes (your tax liability after two years). If you do not
normally receive a refund, you may want to consult with a tax specilalist to understand better what opportunities are available
to you.

Q: How do I claim the credit?

A: You will be required to file the long form and itemize your deductions. The IRS form 5695 must be completed and filed
with your taxes. The current form does not reflect the changes to the most recent legislation.

Q: Can someone who already owned a Skystream claim the tax credit?

A: If you purchased a Skystream in 2008, you qualify for the federal-level tax credit, passed as part of the October 2008
bailout legislation, up to $2,400 per wind turbine with a cap of $4000. If you purchased a Skystream in 2008 but your
dealer did not install it until 2009, ask your dealer to write a letter indicating that the wind turbine was not “commissioned” in
2008 and became operational 2009. You would qualify for the 30 percent tax incentive in your 2009 filing.

Q: What if I want to purchase and install more than one Skystream?

A: The stimulus package allows for a 30 percent tax credit on the total cost of multiple units. There is no cap on the 30
percent tax credit. Businesses may qualify for a grant from the US Treasury in lieu of a tax credit.

Q: I heard I can get cash back rather than a tax credit – how does that work?

A: Businesses can apply for a grant from the US Treasury and rather than a tax credit, receive a cash grant. The details are
still being worked out but should be in place by April or May. Keep in touch with your dealer or the manufacturer for more
information.

Information taken for Southwest Windpower Newsletter.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Tooting my own horn

I just posted 5 reasons why you should buy from me the other day. I keep talking to people almost on a daily bases and they are all starting to say the same thing. No one calls back or emails. They do not show up on time.

I am also starting to see that more people are start to get into this market and there are a lot of wolves in sheep's clothing out there. So buyer beware. Not all wind turbines work. Some people will tell you anything to make a sale.

I am not that way, I try and find quality turbines that will meet your needs.

I am not afraid to tell you that your property is not right for wind turbine.

If I think that your property is questionable, I have a engineer friend that can come in and tell exactly if it is right for you.

I was looking at a website the other day that a person had told me about. He had been to the City Hall in Vassar for a meeting that a company put on to try and sell wind turbines to the group. But when pressed for information about permits, net metering, and how many they installed they were not able to tell the group. So the guy gave me their website and I checked it out. They said that they had done over 28 installs, but not where. They handle all the permitting and net metering. But when asked at the meeting, the homeowner was responsible for all of that. Also the site had no pictures, no phone numbers, no addresses, Hmmm!!

Well I show pictures with a map on where they are located at and where the next project are subject to start.

We have an address and a map to get to our location.

When we do a project for a customer the only thing that customer has to do is get the zoning permit and write the check.

We fill out all the forms and send you envelopes with the address where they have to get mailed, with the stamp on it already.

All the documents are labeled where you have to sign and date.

We come in and haul all the trash away.

We do all the scheduling of cranes, inspectors, and power company.

We make it easy and smooth.

We want your project to be a great experience, not an experience that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

So give us a call and let me show you what we can do for you. You will not be let down.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Reasons why you should buy from us and not the other guys.

1. We will call you back, when you call us. Usually within one hour from the time you called. If your phone call was not important to us, then we should not be in business.
2. We will visit your site and be on time, for free no matter where you live in Michigan. Your time is valuable and we respect that.
3. We are state licensed contractors, both electrical and building. Both of us have over 40 years experience in our respected trades.
4. We are insured for any problem.
5. We service what we sell. If something goes wrong with the turbine after it is installed we do not just forget who you are. Because once we have done work for you we want to keep you as our customer. I am a true believer in service after the sale no matter where you are.

These are five good reason why you should have us install your wind turbine, not the other guys.

So if none of those items mentioned above are important to you then call the other guys. But we will be here waiting for you to call.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Mark your calendars

April 3rd - 5th we will be at the Habitat for Humanity 2009 Spring Flower and Garden Show. So stop by my booth and say hi. Also make sure you sign-up for a great door prize that I will be giving away. Here is a link to more information about this great event. As we get closer I will have more information.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Hurry Time is Running Out for the MIPSC Grant

Grant money from the Michigan Public Service Commission

ENERGY TIDBITS - March 2009

Renewable Schools Request for Proposals for up to $5.5 million has been issued by the MPSC. Non-profit or public organizations can propose to design and coordinate the successful installation and operation of small scale, on-site renewable energy systems and energy efficiency upgrades at public and private K-12 schools, community colleges, & universities.

The grants are funded by the Low-Income & Energy Efficiency Fund.

Deadline for proposals is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13.

www.michigan.gov/mpsc

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Second Newsletter

Our second newsletter has been released. We sent it out to over 140 people. If you did not get a copy of this newsletter here is the link for you to read it.

The December 2008 newsletter is also available if you missed that one too.

If you would like to subscribe to any future newsletters you can do that here.