John W.

Adams
A&C Green Energy
 Based on known oil reserves and the worldwide
consumption rate, most estimates suggest this reserve
has only 50 more years of production left in it.
 89% of US total energy comes from fossil fuels
 Fossil fuel combustion represents a global
environmental problem
 U.S. winds could generate more electricity in 15 years
than all of Saudi Arabia's oil, without being depleted
 The choice is:
 Invest in discovery of new oil reserves (e.g. off-shore, shale oil)
 Invest in clean coal technology (20% of the worlds supply of
coal is in the US)
 Invest in alternative energies
 Evaluation PV (Solar) Hydro Wind

Capital Costs Large Enormous Moderate

Operating Costs Moderate Negligible Small

Efficiency 5 -10% 80% 42%

Pollution Waste Heat None Visual

Levelized Costs 16 cents/kWh 4 cents/kWh 4.5 cents/kWh

Environmental
Large Enormous Small
Impact
1888, San Angelo

Aeromotor markets their

windmills to pump water to
irrigate crops and feed
cattle. This new system
opens up the South Plains
of Texas and makes living
in West Texas possible.
Oil, cattle, cotton industries
shape the new economy of
Texas.
Texas is still #1

In 2006, Texas
overtook California
and continues to
lead the nation in
total installed wind
capacity, shaping
our state’s future
economy and
strengthening our
importance in the
global marketplace.
Presently

With advanced
engineering and
aerodynamic
designs, today’s
wind turbines are
more powerful than
their predecessors.
What are wind energy applications?
Power usage

•Irrigation pumps
•Electric fences
•Entire residence
•Street lights
•Barn dances
•Appliances
•Etc..

•1+ megawatts
•1 mW = 1,000,000 watts
•Weigh over 100 tons
•Each blade is over 100’
•200’ tower
•Also $1,000,000 turbines
•Not more efficient, just bigger
Small wind systems
• Up to 100kW
•1 kW = 1,000 watts
•Weigh 5oo lbs to 5 tons
•Blades are 6’ to 30’ each
•Towers up to 100’
•Home, ranch, farm, business
•Eligible for grants and rebates
Off-Grid
Check list:
•Make sure you are
allowed to install a wind
turbine

•Make sure you have

sufficient wind speed

•Find out what your

electrical usage is

•Find funding/grant
sources for your area
Zoning Approval
•NIMBY

•HOA

•City

•County

•Minimum acreage

•Height restrictions

•110% rule
Finding the wind speed?
Resources

•Anemometer

•Local airport

•Local media

•Internet
•Trees and flags
Monthly Electricy Usage
•Electric usage is listed
in kWh.

•This data is on every

monthly statement.
Convert turbine’s output power (W) into kW
(W) x (.001) = kW
Convert kW into kWh
How many hours in a year?
(365.25) x (24) = 8,766 hrs/year
How many hours in a month?
8,766 / 12 = 730.5 hrs/month
(730.5) x (kW) = kWh/month
Wind speed?
Monthly electrical
usage?
Typical sizes needed
 2kW – ½ of your energy
 5kW – almost all energy
 10kW – all, plus surplus
 20kW – small biz, ranch
 30kW – med. biz, ranch
 <100kW – large ranch, village
 Years Install 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Gross Cost ($17,500)

30% Tax Credit $5,250 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Utility Savings $0 $2,214 $2,298 $2,385 $2,475 $2,569 $2,666 $2,767 $2,871 $2,980 $3,092 $3,209 $3,331 $3,456 $3,587 $3,723
ANNUAL CASH
FLOW ($12,250) $2,214 $2,298 $2,385 $2,475 $2,569 $2,666 $2,767 $2,871 $2,980 $3,092 $3,209 $3,331 $3,456 $3,587 $3,723
Cumulative Cash ($12,250) ($10,036) ($7,738) ($5,353) ($2,878) ($309) $2,357 $5,124 $7,995 $10,975 $14,067 $17,276 $20,607 $24,063 $27,650 $31,373
Flow
Store in batteries
Off-grid or grid-interactive systems
Transfer excess to utility company
Grid-tie or grid-interactive systems
Net metering
Similar to ‘roll-over’ minutes on wireless phone plans
At the discretion of the utility company
Texas is one of the last states NOT mandating net
metering
Only through Austin Energy or Green Mountain Energy
kWh buy back
Not at the same rate charged TO you
 Lattice Towers
•Single tapered pole •Lattice design
•“Cleaner” look •Longer on-site construction
•More expensive •Less expensive
•Urban applications •Rural applications
•Single concrete base •Either single concrete base or
separate concrete pads (one per leg)
•Usually taller
•Taller is better
•At least 30’ above wind obstacles
•Wide open spaces
•Maybe a clearing by a shoreline
•Hill crest
 30% Federal tax credits
 American Recovery and Re-Investment Act (Stimulus Bill
2009)
 <100 kW project
 IRS Form 5695 for individuals
 IRS Form 3468 for businesses
 Non-profit businesses can apply for 25% grant money
 25% REAP grants
 Rural Energy for America Program
 <50,000 population (based on latest census)
 SECO – State Energy Conservation Office grants
 www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us
 DSIRE
 Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
 www.dsireusa.org
1. Find out if there are any restrictions against installing
wind turbines in your area
2. Find out your area’s wind speed
3. Find out your monthly electric usage
4. Find a good site for your wind turbine
5. Find a wind turbine that will produce what you need
6. Find any funding, tax breaks or grants to help with
your project
7. Find an installer and set your project in motion
8. Relax and let Mother Nature do the rest