Seeking information

[bearfan454]

I want to find out who to email about leasing my land in West Tx to a utility company for a wind farm. It's really windy there and I need to find out who I would contact about this. Any ideas ?

[Dora]

1. Have you tried Austin Energy?

Or maybe even the LCRA might be able to point you in the right direction.

Sounds like a good idea... I hope it pans out for you.

[sandnsea]

2. Is it flat and sunny too?

Maybe somebody who wanted a long term investment would pony up the cost of installing a 'solar farm'. There are places that have several acres of solar panels that produces thousands of kwh per year. If the land is on the grid, maybe you could put in a solar farm and then just sell the power back to the power company. I think that would be cheaper than building a windmill, which is why I bring it up. I think to put in a windmill you have to invest in all kinds of EPA studies and wind analysis, so I think it's out of the reach of an individual investor. Solar, otoh, may be kind of like building an oil well years ago.

Just a random thought really.

[bearfan454]

3. Actually GE is one of the big players in the US

They measure the wind there for one year and if there is enough then they install their windmills there and want you to sign a lease to rent them your land for 20 + years. It's quite a bit per month. It saves them millions by not having to pay a workforce benefits and salaries and by not using gas turbine engines to create electricity. I sent them an email but haven't gotten a response yet.

[sandnsea]

4. That would be terrific

If they've already done the wind studies, AWESOME! I think it's a totally fantastic idea, I was just offering an alternative in case the wind was too involved is all. Good luck!!!

[Subdivisions]

5. West Texas is ideal for both

wind and solar energy production. West Texas receives copious wind and enjoys a relatively high annual solar insolation of 8,500-9,200 KW/hr/m²/day.

[sandnsea]

6. I would think one could do both

Put solar panels under the windmills in some form or other. You'd have to allow for maintenance, but I'm sure engineers could create a best use map. I wonder if big masses of shiny solar panels would reflect sunlight and cause any problems.