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It didn't take long to find a LOT of controversy.
[[File:Wind turbine.jpg|thumbnail|right]]
[[File:Wind turbine.jpg|thumbnail|right]]
The '''Wind turbine''' is the modern day [[windmill]] which is marketed as a clean energy solution to replace power from fossil fuel, coal, and nuclear power plants. The addition of multiple wind turbines in the same geographical location is referred to as a wind farm. The sales pitch goes as follows, "wind turbines power millions of homes with wonderful 'free' energy". The truth is a much different story. ''"The wind power industry claims switching from conventional power to wind power will save consumers money and spur the economy. However, data from the top 10 wind power states show just the opposite."''<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2014/10/17/electricity-prices-soaring-in-top-10-wind-power-states/ Electricity Prices Soaring In Top Wind Power States, Forbes, October 17, 2014]</ref>
The '''Wind turbine''' is the modern day [[windmill]] which is marketed as a clean energy solution to replace power from fossil fuel, coal, and nuclear power plants. The addition of multiple wind turbines in the same geographical location is referred to as a wind farm. The sales pitch goes as follows, "wind turbines power millions of homes with wonderful 'free' energy". The truth is a much different story. ''"The wind power industry claims switching from conventional power to wind power will save consumers money and spur the economy. However, data from the top 10 wind power states show just the opposite."''<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2014/10/17/electricity-prices-soaring-in-top-10-wind-power-states/ Electricity Prices Soaring In Top Wind Power States, Forbes, October 17, 2014]</ref>
== Controversy ==
There is a good deal of controversy over whether wind power is a good idea as a viable energy source. This should come as no surprise—energy is big business. A significant fraction of a nation's wealth goes into providing energy, and the energy companies (oil, gas, coal, nuclear, hydro, wind) have a lot at stake. They devote a lot of their resources into promoting their interests. As a relative newcomer to the field, and with a lot of technological advances going on, it's no surprise that wind power comes in for a lot of praise and criticism.
On the pro-wind side, the "treehugger.com" (the name pretty much says it all) website says:
{{cquote|The energy payback for a 2-megawatt wind turbine that lasts over 20 years is... 5-8 months.|||<ref>https://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/energy-paypack-2-megawatt-wind-turbine-lasts-over-20-years-5-8-months.html</ref>}}
The American Wind Energy Association says:
{{cquote|Recent improvements in turbine technology has reduced the cost of wind energy, allowing electricity consumers and utilities to lock in low, affordable electricity rates through 20 to 30 year contracts.|||<ref>http://www.awea.org/falling-wind-energy-costs</ref>}}
On the anti-wind side, there are complaints of turbines requiring expensive maintenance, falling apart, and starting fires. From the "Stop These Things" ("We're not here to debate the wind industry, we're here to destroy it") website:
{{cquote|2 Year Old Siemens Turbines Falling Apart: Wind Farm Investors, Get Out While You Can.|||<ref>https://stopthesethings.com/2015/02/01/2-year-old-siemens-turbines-falling-apart-wind-farm-investors-get-out-while-you-can/</ref>}}
== Cost breakdown ==
== Cost breakdown ==