Just One Thing: Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Moving to alternative energy reduces our dependence on foreign oil, but it is not always easy or affordable. On "Good Morning America" this morning, Nick Blitterswyk, CEO of Urban Green Energy, presented a novel way to generate energy using one of the lowest-priced renewable fuels available today: wind. Vertical axis wind turbines, the modern day answer to windmills, can be retrofitted to power your home or business.

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Installation

Wind turbines are easy to install and maintain. They can use wind blowing from any direction and are nearly noise and vibration free. Once you have chosen a model, you may order a turbine from your local distributor. Distributors usually provide full services, including installation. They can be connected to your electricity grid via inverter, and the excess energy can be stored in batteries to be used if the turbine is not providing enough energy.

You can connect a wind turbine to your electricity grid through a grid-tie inverter or an off-grid inverter. A grid-tie inverter will feed excess energy into the electricity grid when your wind turbine produces excess power. In most areas your utility company will give you credit for the excess. An off-grid inverter does not push energy into the grid. Instead it stores excess energy in batteries. The grid is used however, if the turbine is not providing sufficient energy.

How a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Can Save You Money

Although the startup cost for a vertical axis wind turbine is $3,000 to $5,000, they can lower your energy bill in the long run.

How much money you can save varies by winds speeds in your area and local costs of electricity. On average, Urban Green Energy has found that their Eddy wind turbine can offset about 15 percent of a home's energy usage and their new model, the Eddy GT, offsets approximately 25 percent.

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Resource Guide

What kinds of rebates are available to offset the costs of buying a vertical axis wind turbine? Is my hometown windy enough for me to use a wind turbine efficiently? Here are some resources to help you decide if a wind turbine is right for your home or business.

The U.S. government is now offering a 30 percent tax credit toward the purchase of small wind turbines. For more information click here.

To find out what incentives your state or municipality offers, click here (click on the tab that says "Rebate programs for renewable").

You may be surprised to learn that Chicago is not the windiest city. To find out how windy your city is, click here.

To find a vertical axis wind turbine manufacturer near you, click here.

For more wind turbine manufacturers and to learn more about small wind power click here.

To learn more about Urban Green Energy, a manufacturer of renewable energy products, click here.