Hawaii (my home state) has just committed to introducing a feed in tariff program for small
renewable energy producers. I believe the PUC is forcing a reluctant utility to buy electicity
and at "rates that will exceed current electricity prices" (a quote from the local newspaper)
Current consumer rates for elecricity in Hawaii county are $.31/kwh. Apparently the PUC
will be providing more details about the program in the coming months.
I am reserching building my own turbine(s) for the sole purpose of feeding
the power to the grid under this new program.
I am tentatively shooting for an array of turbines to produce an average
of 10kwh per hour using about ten turbines.
I have ordered the Homebrew Windpower book by Dan and Dan and have the help of a machinist.
I have a background in electronics.
I am looking at three different sites for the turbine installation.
Site 1: one acre (about 125x380'),bare rock, no obstacles,mean wind speed 11.2mph-12.3mph,
cost= 20k, zoned residential.
Site 2: 14k square feet, scrub brush with max tree height at 8 feet, mean wind speed
14.5mph-15.7mph, cost=35k, zoned residential.
site 3: 12k square feet, scrub brush with max tree height at 30 feet, mean wind speed
11.2mph-12.3mph, zone residential.
site 4: three acres rectangular shape, bare rock, no obstacles, mean wind speed 11.2mph-12.3mph, cost= 40k,
zoned agriculture.
No site receives salt spray from the ocean. Rainfall for all sites is about 20"/year.
I'll try to locate some local wind enthusiasts on the island next week but in the meantime
I would appreciate any advice regarding the following:
site choice, PPA (power purchase agreement), feed in tariff, batteries or no batteries,
building permit. Thanks