www.solid-state.com
August 9, 2009
Visitors to the Renewable Energy Expo and Solar Tour had an opportunity Saturday to be filled with hot - - and green - - air. The daylong event, held at Colorado State University-Pueblo, featured presentations, demonstrations and booths about renewable energy and the benefits of energy efficiency. One of the discussions focused on "small wind for residential, business and agriculture." "If you sit at the dinner table and complain half a dozen times a year about the wind, you're probably pretty good for a wind application," said Chris Martin, owner of Buena Vista-based Headwaters Energy, who led the short discussion.
Renewable energy and the state and federal pushes for a greener, more environmentally friendly society are hot topics. On the home front, Pueblo has garnered a global spotlight with the arrival of Vestas Wind Systems and its construction of the world's largest wind-turbine factory south of town. But that's big business. Martin deals with small businesses, homes and farms. As popular as the idea of harvesting wind has been lately, the industry is far from eclipsing the popularity of solar energy. "Solar is definitely more mature, more organized. The wind industry is more fragmented," Martin said. "There's more rebates tied to solar. I'd like to see more rebates tied to wind. But you can look at this trade show and you have one wind guy to 12 solar guys."
One explanation for that could be the design and method used to collect wind: tall wind generators. As a result, Martin said his industry encounters restrictions and regulations - - height playing a primary factor - - in residential areas from homeowner associations. Rural areas, small towns, mountain communities and households seem to be more suitable for wind generators. But that's not to discourage folks who prefer wind energy, he said.
Martin said he's installed a couple of units in Pueblo County but is yet to build in Pueblo proper. "Wind is very site-specific. Pueblo does drop off in wind. I don't think I've put one in (Pueblo)," he said. The overall cost to buy and install a wind generator, depending on the unit and its height, can range from $14,500 to $115,000. "There's factors of how and when your investment pays off," he said. The federal government offers a 30-percent tax credit for investing in wind energy, Martin said, and some utility companies offer rebates up to $3 per watt of power generated.
One interested expo visitor was Keli Kringel of La Veta. Having recently completed a passive solar renovation on her home, she was exploring other renewable-energy options, such as wind, and taking new ideas and information back home. "I want to live sustainably. I'm in support of solar and wind energy. I'm right in town, so I have some of those (restrictions on wind generators). But I think this area is great for solar and wind because we have a lot of it. It's always sunny and windy."
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