[Robert A Cook PE]

There are some local areas, and a few regions where the wind is unusually strong, unusually steady, and the region is (generally) clear of obstructions and wind resistance: But, frankly, MOST of the country has unstable, low winds, and hills, buildings, and trees that force high towers and extreme expense for a very little power at highly irregular times.

Where the population is, the wind isn’t. And vice versa.

[Uncledave]

But, frankly, MOST of the country has unstable, low winds, and hills, buildings, and trees that force high towers and extreme expense for a very little power at highly irregular times.

Towers are tall because wind speeds increase with height -- therefore, you generate more power there at a lower cost per kWh. Why install a < 1MW turbine at 30m when you can have a 2.5MW one at 80m, using the same land footprint and gaining tremendous economies in equipment,transport and construction costs? You wouldn't -- actually, you couldn't if you were looking to fund such a project.

Wind turbines all around the world are installed at this height -- this has nothing to do with something unique about US geography

[tiki]

It was just an inquiry but a company approached us about putting wind generators on our mountain just this week.

I have my doubts about the steadyness of the wind even though there are a few places the wind blows every day. They were going to check it out this week and get back to us. The offer was pretty good but I need to do some homework on how much the construction will disturb the environment and how feasible it would be to tear them down in 10 years if we wanted to.