Interested in Wind
Power? First, Estimate the Cost
Many cooperative members
in Kansas are interested in installing small renewable energy systems -
particularly wind turbines - at their homes, businesses, or farms. Many
are looking for reliable answers to two questions: How much money can I
save on future electric bills? Will the savings justify my initial
investment?
In response, Kansas
Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (KEC) in Topeka has posted a worksheet utilizing
Microsoft Excel on their Web site to help with these critical calculations.
Dubbed the Small Wind Cash Flow Model, this free tool enables members to input
variables such as construction cost, grants, debt financing, operation and
maintenance expenses, generation, consumption, retail electric rates, avoided
cost, and project life.
Once the numbers are
entered, a prospective wind turbine owner can determine annual cash flows and
the net present value from the investment under either a net billing or net
metering arrangement. "With this program, anyone can quickly determine the
feasibility of putting in a small wind turbine," said Doug Shepherd, KEC's vice
president, member services.
The Small Wind Cash Flow
model can be accessed through KEC's web site at
www.kec.org/smallwindcashflow.aspx.
(You must have the Excel reader program available on your computer in order
to use this cash flow model.)
(Reprinted with
permission from Kansas Country Living)
If you have any
questions, feel free to contact our office at 1-800-310-8911.
Want to Save Money on
Your Electric Bill? Save Energy!
There are a lot of simple, energy-saving steps you can take to
save money on your electric bill, such as changing the thermostat setting,
insulating your attic, flipping switches, etc. The Touchstone Energy
Cooperatives have developed free online calculators to show how much money you
can expect to save. Check out their website to see for yourself!
www.togetherwesave.com
Also be sure and check
out the following website for energy-saving ideas and electrical safety tips:
www.safeelectricity.org
| 
PO Box 308, 401 Lawrence,
Cedar Vale, KS 67024 (620) 758-2262
________
