Tulsa World: Green energy topic of lecture

MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 | WIRELESS

Home > Business

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Green energy topic of lecture
An OSU expert on renewable energy is to discuss wind, solar power.

By KYLE ARNOLD World Staff Writer
Published: 11/17/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/17/2009 8:43 AM

Having solar and wind providing electricity to your home's refrigerator and TV isn't science fiction anymore.

And with tax credits, it's getting cheaper for homeowners to put solar panels on the roof or wind turbines in the backyard, said Scott Frazier, an engineer for the Oklahoma State University Extension and expert on renewable energies.

Frazier will be the host of a class on the subject Tuesday night at the Tulsa County extension center that will give residents a chance to see whether the technology is worth the investment.

"Whether (solar or wind power) works really depends on the user," he said. "There are people that just want to save a few dollars on electric bills and some people that want to go completely off the grid.

"Then there are people that are doing it for a hobby, and some for the environmental reasons."

Frazier said in recent years the technology has made installing photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines more affordable.

In windy areas such as western Oklahoma, homes that install five-kilowatt wind turbines can save enough on electric bills to pay for the cost in seven or eight years.

However, in most areas the return takes about 15 years, Frazier said.

"The technology is getting better and that's making the older technology less expensive. But the newer stuff that produces more power is still expensive," he said.

A popular wind turbine system that produces five kilowatts costs about $45,000. A solar system with the same capabilities costs about $25,000, he said.

That inludes installation and includes a 30 percent federal tax incentive, shaving thousands off the cost of expensive systems.

Of course, solar systems only produce the maximum amount of electricity on sunny days and during daylight hours, which is why Frazier said homeowners need to carefully consider their location into their decision.

"If you want to make the investment, solar or wind can work out for you," Frazier said.

"But it's not for everyone, and that's why you don't see very many solar panels on rooftops."

Frazier said there are also obstacles for some kinds of renewable energy. Wind turbines, which need to be at least 90 feet high, are usually only allowed on properties of at least one acre and are prohibited in some cities.

SEMINAR

What: Home Use of Wind and Solar Energy class

Who: Scott Frazier, OSU Extension engineer

Where: OSU Extension Center, 4116 E. 15th St., Tulsa

When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday

Cost: Free

Links:

Home solar power: tulsaworld.com/solarenergy

Home wind power for Oklahoma: okwindpower

Kyle Arnold 581-8380
kyle.arnold@tulsaworld.com By KYLE ARNOLD World Staff Writer

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Reader Comments

Show: Most Recent Comment First

Add your comment

0 comments have been made on this story so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.