Wind Power: The Cutting Edge Alternative Energy

Wind power is 2007's cutting edge of alternative energy compared to the cutting edge technology of 2006, solar power. There are at least a dozen U.S.-based companies that have a smaller version of the industrial sized wind turbines for the private sector that can be easily placed in anyone's backyard.

This type of news is great for such owners as Andy Kruse founder of Southwest Windpower based in Flagstaff, Arizona. Andy Kruse teamed up with scientists at the National Renewable Energy Lab after raising $10 Million in financing to create a sleek 33-foot turbine that has a blade span of six feet that is designed to work in wind speeds as low as nine miles per hour. The Skystream 3.7 can provide up to 80 percent of a household's electricity.

During the first couple of months of production there were 150 of the Skystream's shipped at the whopping price tag of $13,000 each. While turning down numerous investors, Mr. Kruse is projecting $24 million in revenues for 2007. The revenues estimated for 2007 are based on the fact that worldwide people are taking heed to the uses of Windpower as a source of energy for home use.

Andy Kruse's major target for marketing the Skystream is to those who live on large plots of land. This targeted group basically consists of 13 million Americans who are wealthy consumers who live on a half acre or more of the land.

The targeted market for Southwest Windpower could change dramatically if the newly elected Congress passes a bipartisan bill providing tax credits up to 30 percent of the cost of the wind user's turbine. There are already states that offer such credits to users of wind turbines. Those consumers will also have the opportunity to sell any excess power to utility companies such as Xcel Energy.

Where Tax Credits or Rebates are Being Offered

The following states in the U.S. are already offering such credits or rebates: Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and California.

The following countries allow consumers to collect credit or cash from their governments for excess kilowatts are: Germany, Spain, and Canada.