Comments on: SKYSTREAM RESIDENTIAL WINDMILL

By: bullock susan

bullock susan — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:07:07 +0000

We are a 215 ac. farm. We raise horses. There is quite a bit of wind. Is this kind of energy feasible and are there any grants under the president new programs for farms or small business? Are there loans available?

By: jescojeff

jescojeff — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:36:34 +0000

I agree with Ryan,,,,,,,,,,not worth the money……… A 4000kwh per month unit in a 10-15k price range is what I’m looking for also. Just have to bide our time, someone will have it sooner or later. Jeff

By: uhauldealer30639

uhauldealer30639 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:13:29 +0000

i read on this 3.7 streamer and it only puts out 400 kwh (PER MONTH) not 90% efficient if you ask me. An average household uses about 2500 kwh (PER MONTH). so for $8500.00 to have one installed isnt very good. not efficient for me and the energy saving PROGRAM. you need one that can produce up to about 4000 kwh +(PER MONTH) @ a reasonable install and a good warranty. why put one in when it only does about 400 kwh per month??????? :( an average household that produces about 4000 kwh + would probably buy one of these around $10-$15k. saves customer about $2500.00 to $3000.00 per year. NOW THAT IS WORTH IT. Call me if this is possible. 260-495-1655 RYAN

By: DougJ

DougJ — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:37:10 +0000

Wind Turbine is installed in the Caribbean.

By: DougJ

DougJ — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:01:48 +0000

I installed a Skystream this winter at my home in the Caribbean after doing quite a bit to reduce my energy consumption. The advantage to me is the grid tie. I do not need batteries to store the power. 40 cents per killowatt also helps.

I agree with tom g about the noise. I am on a 1 acre lot at the top of a mountain and based on the whisper quiet promise of SW Wind I installed it at the top of our site about 40\\\’ from our home. I can stand the whine during the day when i am going about my daily activities, but my wife cannot. We turn it off most of thetime when we are home. Because it is a second home and we are there about 40% of the time we make electricity when not there.

Someone suggested that the bearings need greasing? I filled the tower with marine foam, slight improvement. It was also suggested I wrap a rope around the tower to stop the vibration. Have not tried that.

I think that site selection is the most important issue. I would not install on a site less than 2 acres and I would get it away from my house as far as I could, preferably something in between to buffer the noise.

Doug Jones

I would appreciate any suggestions. Can call me at 612-272-5600in Minnesota.

By: TomG

TomG — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:35:39 +0000

I’ve had a Skystream in operation for over a month. Anyone who says this thing is quiet should have their ears checked. I have the standard 33 ft monopole with the tower stuffed with fiberglass. It can easily be heard from 1/4 mile away. We call it the neighborhood police siren. At RPM over 200 it produces a very, very loud whine that sounds exactly like a siren. I can easily hear it inside my house from 600 ft away. I can tell how much power it’s putting out just by the sound. Southwest has been no help at all. They’ve ignored all my emails and phone calls. Anyone who would put one of these in a residential neighborhood is asking for a lot of trouble from neighbors and noise ordinances. Fortunately, I’m in a rural area and the nearest neighbor is just out of hearing range.

By: kirk

kirk — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:19:29 +0000

how does this thing stand up in the winter, -40

By: Chad Monteith

Chad Monteith — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:03:55 +0000

I too purchased a Skystream (about 45 days ago) and have been truly impressed. I placed it about 150′ from the house and we cannot hear it at all inside, ever. If the wind goes above 25 mph, we can hear it when we step outside, but even then it is just a swooshing sound like what a heavy, slow moving, fan blade would make.

The costs previously mentioned are all accurate and I paid $1200 to have a contractor pour the conctrete, dig the cable trench, run the wiring, and raise the unit. The wiring and conduit was $450, the rented trench digger was $100, and the concrete was $250, so there wasn’t much left in true labor. I could have done these things myself, but I believe in paying a few extra dollars for the experts to do it. Also, buy your own wall meter at a electrical supplier for $100 and forget the handlheld monitor from Southwest Power ($300). The 33′ pole is not at all as unsightly as I envisioned. Having to do it again, I would absolutely have gone with the 50′ pole.

We have an all electric house with a heat pump and use about 1600-2200 kwh a month depending on the weather. Electric rates are steady, so we like not being at the mercy of the natural or LP gas people. The downside is that the Skystream will never get us off the grid. Even ten of them probably wouldn’t be enough, but we shave $15 off the bill AND are responsible for 15 pounds of coal NOT being burned (the REAL payback) each and every month.

By: NickB.

NickB. — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:02:15 +0000

Cory,
I live pretty close to you and we’re not in the *best* area for wind, but it’s not too bad and fits with the target market for this unit (low wind areas, grid tied systems). According to the wind maps we have around 11-12 mph average wind, which would get us close to 400 kwh/month according to Skystream’s specs. The monthly output diagram from the spec sheet covers up to 800+ kwh at 24.6 mph. Peak output is around 30 mph, with wind speeds above that causing output to taper off (I’d assume due to safety breaking but not sure).

Everyone needs to read Ron’s comment!!!!! Rule #1 is that it is a lot cheaper to cut consumption than produce electrity, and for those complaining about break even timeframes… ROI break even for Solar is around 15 years from what I’ve seen, I think the analysis I did on the Windstream put the break-even at around 13 years for our wind conditions, $.13/kwh, and $8,500 for the tower and Skystream unit. NOTE: that is not counting Federal tax credits and other incentives that you may be able to get for putting a system like this in.

Unless you are, need to be, or want to be off-grid (like Rebecca from West Texas), putting a system like this in will require you to invest in a solution that will not hit break even for a LONG time, but there could still be “green” motivations to do this. Also, in either situation cutting your consumption (moving to energy efficient light bulbs, HE appliances, insulation, etc) should be your first priority!

By: James Reisner

James Reisner — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:46:45 +0000

I would like to hear from the company about the 3.7 and other models. I have thought about windpower for a long time and actuall did some research a few years ago. An article in The Longview Daily News (tcn) 2/9/08 re Don Sims redindled some interest. Thanks

By: Cory

Cory — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:32:46 +0000

Why is there a limit of 400 kw per month on the energy production if the wind is blowing and the windmill is turning. Can it produce more than 400kw per month? I am looking at purchasing one of these units and placing it at my residence here in Ponder, TX. It is an open 5 acres ( very little trees) on a hill where the wind is constantly blowing. Would the return be worth the investment to power @ 3200 sq ft home (All Electric) with a pool and large shop? Any thoughts

By: ron

ron — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:25:58 +0000

All of you high KWH users need to take a small portion of the $8500 installation and have an energy audit done on your houses.You can probably easily save more than the output of the generator,and for a fraction of the cost.Not using the electricity in the first place is easier on the planet than generating more.I’ve cut my own usage from 600 kwh to 450 kwh per month and the payback is in the order of five years.New,more efficient refrigerator,compact fluorescent bulbs,Led lights outside.Turn down the temperature on the water heater.Plug computers,televisions,dvd players, etc.into power bars so they can easily be shut off.At .11 per kilowatt this saves me $198 per year.

By: ben

ben — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 06:33:53 +0000

Realistically, the next Skystream should increase its potential KW power output by 50% minimum to make it economically viable in most American homes. This 3.7 model is likely intened to generate consumer buzz from Greens rather than power. Also, 3.7 introduces the Skystream brand and helps predict future demand for manufacturing. I’m interested to learn about the release date of Skystream Version.2.0 in early 2008!

By: Lew

Lew — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:58:50 +0000

Im a new homeowner but live in town on between 1/4 and 1/2 acre. Supposing I can gain enough height/clearance, how possible is it for someone in my situation to gain from a personal windmill? Heat and stove are gas. All other appliances and lighting of course are electric in my 1880 Victorian– definitely due for a power upgrade. Any suggestions? Thanks everyone.

By: Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:42:56 +0000

Larry –

I am one of those people who consume 3000 KWH. Only in the winter, though. We live on an open field and the wind howls. We have geo thermal and efficient windows and try to keep the lights off and don’t leave our computers on much. We dress warmly in the house. We use our fireplace as well. Where do you live? We live in northern Indiana.