[The Great RJ]

There's a lot of wind in using wind power for generating electricity. One problem is that they are either on or off. To meet varing needs one needs lots of windmills to bring on and off to meet demand. They aren't pretty and without question chop up some flying critters particularly if you have lots of them in one place.

While the wind is always blowing someplace it might not be at the wind farm location when there is a demand. I've driven by those vast wind farms in SW Minnesota as well as out here on the SD tundra on blistering hot summer days and haven't seen nary a blade turning while the air conditioners in Minneapolis are panting for power. I'm sure the windmills are also humming along at 2am when a cool early summer breeze drops temps to the 60's and the only lights on are street lights.

Face it windmills just aren't cost efficient as a means of generating electric power.

[biblewonk]

Face it windmills just aren't cost efficient as a means of generating electric power.

Your conclusion doesn't follow from your argument. Cost effective is a measure of the price of the windmill and supporting equipment vs the value of the electricity. Using that measure and allowing the 1.8 penny ptc, they are quite cost effective.