Changes

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 both praise and criticism.

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 both praise and criticism.

On the pro-wind side, the "treehugger.com" (the name pretty much says it all) website says: "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>}}

On the pro-wind side, the "treehugger.com" (the name pretty much says it all) website says: "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:

The American Wind Energy Association says: "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>

{{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:

On the anti-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: "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>

{{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 ==