| tagging along
Hey all,
I'm just tagging along to see if anyone installs this power-save device and see what their savings are. Sounds interesting.
Home wind power is rarely cost effective, unfortunately the smaller wind turbines are just not up to the quality needed to make them cost effective. I worked for a marine biology lab for a little over 5 years and we needed to power remote observation stations to monitor wildlife. We examined both solar and wind and tested both in Alaska. The wind generators kept breaking (mostly burned out motors) and we used what was supposedly the best residential wind generators available about 4 years ago. Maybe they have improved in the 4 years since I quit working there, but I simply don't know.
On the other hand, we used solar panels in Alaska (which has a very low level of solar radiation compared to the lower 48 states) and they supplied plenty of power to run our systems. Solar panels have really come a long way in the last 10 years and are cost effective in some setups. Further improvements in solar panels should make it cost effective almost everywhere with adequate sun soon.
I live in Texas where we get PLENTY of sun, however, our HOA prevents installation of solar panels because they would be unsightly! UGH! I would have to get enough people on the HOA board to change the rule and so far there are just not enough greenies in my neighborhood to do that.
Brian | 
