10 kW
Not necessarily for or against, but want to clear up some misconceptions. First, birds and bats both are killed by wind turbines and in significant numbers. There is not that much data on how many and it is highly dependent on site-specific factors. One published study is:
http://www.wvhighlands.org/Birds/MountaineerFinalAvianRpt-%203-15-04PKJK.pdf
Two things appear to be clear: 1) migration patterns of both birds and bats should be taken into account when siting turbines and 2) don't put lights near them.
Second, while the rotation rate is small the blade diameter is very large on the largest turbines. Tip speeds can get close to 100 mph. That will kill a bird or even you.
Like anything, you have to compare the risk of building wind turbines to the risk of not building them. Mercury in coal is a big problem, as well as sulfur and nitrogen oxides created in combustion. I'm pretty sure as long as you don't put them in the wrong places, they are much less of a problem than the alternative. I would not mind one in my neighborhood, dependent on the noise created. However, most of the wind power in the US is in the mid-west and off-shore, not in anyone's neighborhood.
http://www.wvhighlands.org/Birds/MountaineerFinalAvianRpt-%203-15-04PKJK.pdf
Two things appear to be clear: 1) migration patterns of both birds and bats should be taken into account when siting turbines and 2) don't put lights near them.
Second, while the rotation rate is small the blade diameter is very large on the largest turbines. Tip speeds can get close to 100 mph. That will kill a bird or even you.
Like anything, you have to compare the risk of building wind turbines to the risk of not building them. Mercury in coal is a big problem, as well as sulfur and nitrogen oxides created in combustion. I'm pretty sure as long as you don't put them in the wrong places, they are much less of a problem than the alternative. I would not mind one in my neighborhood, dependent on the noise created. However, most of the wind power in the US is in the mid-west and off-shore, not in anyone's neighborhood.