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Creating power from wind requires a pretty high initial outlay. Each modern windmill is very expensive. Once erected, it takes some years before the windmill is paid for and can start making a profit. Once they begin to make a profit, the ongoing expense of upkeep is relatively small.

The benefit of wind power is that it is environmentally friendly. The wind cannot be depleted. The windmills themselves, while not that attractive as they cover the hillsides, do not cause any environmental degradation.

Once in place, windmills are good for many years of service and because the wind itself is free, the costs of wind power are quite small once the initial device is paid for. Because windmills only use wind to produce energy, nothing is being used up in the production of energy.

It is possible that in the near future, we may be seeing some personal windmills set up in people's back yards to provide some or all of their home's energy needs. As these windmills become more efficient and smaller models can be produced, anyone in a good wind area could create their own energy and perhaps even sell their excess energy to the power companies.

Learn more about this author, Bob Trowbridge.
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