There are numerous advantages of wind power and that vary from simple to complex and are present in myriad categories of economic, environment, and social interests. Depending on the location of the turbine, the size of the turbine, and the ownership of the site, wind power is many. Benefits are present for any entity that uses electricity, produces electricity, owns farmland, and more. The advantages of wind power include a never depleted fuel source, cost stability, tax benefits, and energy independence. Wind power projects even create income for individual families in rural communities.
Advantages of Wind Power
Advantages of Wind Power to Special Interests and Individuals
Special interest groups are any entities who must look out for the interest of a shared concern among its members. For example, electric companies must look out for their own costs and equipment. Governments must consider the income and tax ramifications of energy production. Environmentalists are concerned about the impact of energy generation on the environment. The advantages of wind power offer something for all, including:
- Free fuel – No production or transportation required.
- Easily harnessed fuel that is completely renewable and doesn’t deplete the earth.
- No green house gasses or particulate emissions for cleaner air.
- Cleaner water- Water is free of mercury contamination caused by particulate emissions associated with fossil fuels.
- Cost Stability – Fuel and production costs are fixed with only maintenance variables.
- Minimal impact on land and wildlife.
- Energy independence – Wind is a local resource.
- Diversified sources – Anyone can create power with a turbine.
Monetary Advantages of Wind Power
Individuals enjoy many of the monetary advantages, as well. Farmers can lease plots of land to companies or groups who wish to construct wind turbines without much interference to farming operations. Homeowners can install turbines to power their own homes (or neighborhood if they join a group project) and enjoy tax benefits from doing so. There are just as many monetary advantages of wind power for individuals as there are for special interests, including:
- Free fuel for electricity means lowered utility costs.
- Permit exemptions – In a growing number of locations, a permit is not required for small home based turbines.
- Tax Credits – Tax credits are provided for people who pay up-front to gain the advantages of wind power.
- Sales tax exemptions on the purchase of wind turbines
- Lease payments to farmers who allow farm size wind turbines to be built in their crop field, which doesn’t interfere with farming except a small portion at the foot of the wind turbine tower.
The advantages of wind power seem too numerous to list in one place. Many governments provide tax and income benefits for installing alternative energy resources like wind power. In the United States, 34 states require a power company to pay the owner of a wind turbine for every kWh of energy they do not use and therefore feed into the power grid. This includes an “avoided production cost” that calculates how much the power company saved on production since it wasn’t responsible for the production of that energy. Tax credits, government subsidies, and grants also abound in the list of advantages of wind power.
To be equal in discussion of the advantage of wind power, it does provide for a few drawbacks in the realm of aesthetics including sounds (though advanced technology has largely reduced noise), large equipment on the landscape, and minimal shadowing on the landscape. Also, wind is variable and not always present, so reserves of energy must be established. There is some concern about wildlife, though British windsmiths have been successful at eliminating possible collisions. However, gained advantages of wind power far outweigh any disadvantages.
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