Is A Green Energy Project Right For Your Property?

With all the news about green energy lately, people are reevaluating their idea of what green energy can be. Many people are wondering if green energy can fit into their land management plans. We’re going to concentrate on methods over brands. Our goal is to offer a realistic view of what is available and the potential barriers to a successful project. In full disclosure, I’m a big fan of renewable energy. Pun fully intended.

There are three widely available natural resources for renewable energy. The majority of all renewable energy research revolves around wind, solar, and water energy production methods. Each of these methods has advantages and drawbacks that we will get into later. Renewable energy has the advantage of flexibility and scale to the available resource. We’ll also discuss that in greater detail as we discuss implementation.

Wind Energy

Everyone has seen pictures of the giant 3 blade turbines across the west. Legitimately speaking, they do a decent job generating green energy. A large turbine may be an option if you have the space for a project that large. Generally speaking, you would need to own enough land in every direction your turbine could fall to satisfy insurance concerns.

There are some drawbacks to a large turbine however. Permitting and zoning issues are often an obstacle for individuals developing these types of large green energy projects. Sites would require extensive cooperation from the local utility to install transmission lines and infrastructure. Permitting would require public review and comment periods. The closer you are to a developed area, the less likely you are to be approved for a large turbine project. A $1,000,000 starting point for a large wind turbine is a barrier to most individuals.

There is also a design debate undergoing constant research for the sake of migratory birds. Your largest sources of resistance to a large scale turbine project would come from bird advocates and the NIMBY crowd. As cynical as it sounds, it is a reality of large wind projects. Studies have shown public acceptance and perception are proportionally linked to the scale of the project. This is where scale and design come to the table with strong offerings.

A medium scale wind turbine is the best option for farms and ranches. Power outputs of 40 Kw to 200 Kw are enough to cut electrical energy costs by 75% for a typical farm. Think about how much your monthly power bill is and let that sink in for a moment. Medium scale wind energy projects are where design and art begin to blend producing a cross between sculpture and utility. Medium scale projects range from $5,000 to $100,000 with power house equipment.

The primary reason we chose to concentrate on methods over manufacturers was that most green energy systems can be interconnected to reach your desired scale. The ability to scale means you can combine a series of designs and heights of turbines to maximize the sculptural aspect of their designs in your landscaping plan. This also means you can add to your system as you develop your land.

Small scale wind energy systems are at the cutting edge of innovation. A small scale system shouldn’t be underestimated because of it’s size. At 600 Watts to 5 Kw, several practical applications are available in kit form complete with charge controllers. Small scale systems are also where the greatest diversity of design may be found.

An internet search for small scale wind turbines will return thousands of different designs. There are whole web communities devoted to teaching people how to build their own turbines as well. That may be an appealing option for people who have some fabrication skills. For the rest of us, we may have to rely on our artistic sense. Some designs allow you to choose the color of your turbine blades. You don’t have to settle for some monochromatic blob sitting on the land.

The key advantage of small scale wind turbines for green energy production is cost. We found starting prices around $300 for a standard horizontal turbine. Vertical oriented turbines started around $600 but provided the greatest number of design styles. Installation materials are also less expensive. That means you can afford to run wire without needing a second mortgage.

As with large turbines, small turbines could draw ire from neighbors. Some small turbines can be irritatingly noisy if not installed properly. There are also several restrictions if you live in a community with CC&R’s. If you live in a community with an HOA, you can pretty much forget any hope of ever having anything on your land that makes it look different than every other home.

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric power is fairly efficient in every scale available to individual users. For the purpose of this article, we’re only

going to focus on medium and small scale production methods. These methods are the most likely to be approved for use. The most important factor in deciding the feasibility of a hydro system is if the stream is fish bearing. You just can’t get permits anymore to build dams of any kind on fish bearing streams.

Medium scale hydroelectricity 40 Kw to 200 Kw is good if you have a year round stream or spring on a hillside. There is a significant amount of infrastructure that must be installed to satisfy riparian codes as well as state water rules. The cost is fairly approachable for large farms or ranches at $40,000 to $100,000. The only drawbacks are installing the system. There are a significant amount of permits to get but once running, a hydro system will run for years till the water runs dry or the water wheel wears out. Even when parts wear out, the systems are easily repaired when planned for during installation.

Small scale hydroelectricity is the most approachable form for residential use. Costs vary by design but typically you can get a kit system for around $1,000. Power outputs of up to 10 Kw are not only possible, but common on small streams. A vacation property could be generating power into the grid to offset taxes and maintenance while providing free power during your visits. A series of connected small hydro turbines can efficiently generate abundant green energy and be nearly invisible. Effort and a need for hip waders are the only real drawbacks.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is probably the most recognizable form of green energy production. The cost of entry is fairly uniform regardless of scale. At $100 per 100 Watts, solar is the most expensive per watt, but the easiest to scale. Solar is also the least resource placement dependent. The sun pretty much shines everywhere. It is also the greatest drawback of solar. When it’s cloudy, you’re not generating power.

I’m not discouraging solar use by any means. Solar is an entirely relevant technology that has some pretty cool applications. Solar is great to offset power usage in a residential setting. The only limitation is available roof space to mount panels. There are several contractors that sell whole roof systems, but the price could be a barrier.

An emerging mobile trend is taking hold with RV manufacturers. An increasing number of people are adding solar panels to their million dollar coaches. The idea being that you can camp with all the luxuries of home that your spouse wants without having to be tied to shore power in a RV resort. The wiring is a bit more complicated but you can retrofit a RV or camper for about $2,500 with batteries.

Each of the green energy projects we’ve presented have advantages and drawbacks. No single system design is going to be right for everyone in every circumstance. Nature relies on several natural processes to work cooperatively to support life. Similarly several types of energy generation might be needed to meet the specific needs of your home. In some cases, it simply isn’t possible. You just won’t know until you do some research into your options.

The goal for most property owners is to at least reduce their energy bill. Hiring a consultant may be an option for farms, ranches and commercial operations. In most circumstances it could be a write off. A consultant can point out a series of small fixes and replacements that could dramatically reduce power consumption before you install your first power generation device.