One of things we were most surprised to learn at West Coast Green is that there's a company in the Bay Area that's installing small residential wind turbines—and that the turbines are available nationwide. They install turbines made by a company called Skystream...
Skystream Wind Turbines
West Coast Green 2008
...which has a network of dealers across the US that will put up a wind turbine for you. A small model—which will fit not only in a convention center, but in small urban backyards—at peak output, it produces 1900 watts (that's enough for a very, very energy efficient house.) It's connected to the electric grid, so any excess energy you produce flows back into the grid for use elsewhere; in some places, your electric meter will actually run backward.
We were quoted an installation cost of about $17,000 in California's pricey Bay Area. That's steep, yes, but it's still a relatively small percentage of the budget if you're building a new house, and one which will seem like a great deal every month that you get an electric bill for $0.
More information at www.skystreamenergy.com.
image via Skystream
Comments (2)
Top Tours
- Nancy's Mid-Century Swanky
- Katy and Tighe's Cozy Island Cottage
- Green Home Tour: Erica Tanov's Secondhand Beauty
- Matthew and Emma's Eco Environment
- Donna & Riley's Zero Energy Idea House
Top Posts
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
this is really innovative. a cheaper alternative for small appliances might be the new eneloop universe solar charger although it won't be available in the u.s. for some time.
www.swyyne.com
view swyyne's profile
Skystream wind turbines are made by Southwest Wind Power out of Arizona. The Skystream is one of the many turbines produced by the company, but has become the most popular. Visit: http://www.windenergy.com/index_wind.htm to learn more about the company.
view bridgesteffen's profile