Federal and state tax breaks and subsidies (
www.dsireusa.org)
for "distributed wind" have been a major stimulus for the growth cited
by DOE. The cost of these tax breaks and subsidies are shifted to all
other taxpayers and electric customers (or, in the case of federal tax
breaks and subsides, become part of the growing national debt) that will
be inherited by our children and grandchildren.
Distributed wind
installations, when all true costs are considered, are likely to remain
uneconomic except where (a) those needing the electricity are beyond the
reach of distribution lines, and/or (b) rates from distribution
companies are extremely high.
Some who install "distributed wind"
probably derive "conversation value" or "braging rights" that they
believe have value that offsets the true economic cost.
Nevertheless,
any products or services that are dependent on tax breaks and subsidies
are highly risky as long-term business propositions.
Of course, wind mills used to pump water are often economic because water, unlike electricity, can be stored.
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