Each wind turbine in the wind park near Freiburg cost 2 million Euros. Six of these 1.8 MWh wind turbines were installed at a cost of 13 million Euros. Out of this total individuals invested in a share of the operating company in order to provide 4.6 million in capital. Five hundred and twenty people invested a minimum of 3000 Euros. Each 3000 Euros generates 12000 kWh. Each investor gets money back over twenty years from2003 to 2023. Over this time each investor gets 280% of their money back. To start with each investor gets 3% in the first year, then 5% the next year until in the last year the investor gets 20%. The tower is 98 metres height. On the top is is the 100 tonne generator. The tower was made of concrete since it is too difficult to bring steel up the mountain. The concrete tower was constructed over about three weeks. Unlike the first generation of wind turbines this new generation has no gear. The blades turn 22 times per minute transforming DC to AC. 95% of German wind turbines are privately financed. People invest because they get money back. The federal subsidy makes it a good investment. Normal electricity has a once cent per kilowatt additional cost added so that wind and other renewable’s can be purchased at a premium. Wind gets paid a couple cents more than conventional power. Solar gets paid many times more.
4. December 2007 at 5:35 am
awsome!
4. December 2007 at 5:36 am
If USA invested just $5 per day per household for 32 years, that would be enough to power a Billion homes!
10. December 2007 at 9:56 pm
i think we should better support our troops in iraq instead of doing those germans stuff.
24. January 2008 at 1:25 pm
The video claims that 95% of money, for wind power in Germany,comes from private investors.
5. February 2008 at 1:45 pm
Congratulation!
Did you make this film by yourself when you were in Germany or is it copied from other?
I knew that these towers were made of steel but this is the first time when I hear about a tower made of concreate. It seams to be unique configuration.
However you may be wrong when you said “The blades turn 22 times per minute transforming DC to AC”. I think that blades transform only wind in rotating movement and DC current produced by generator is converted in AC using an inverter.
7. March 2008 at 5:13 pm
“The federal subsidy makes it a good investment”. This is not private funding.
18. April 2008 at 11:41 pm
A good investment. This is carbon trading for the people. Lets have more of it. Where can I see the numbers on paper ?
12. May 2008 at 8:04 pm
This is not a good investment. Please research this before you decide that wind energy is the right choice. I have and I’m not happy with what I’ve heard and found. Please don’t jump to the conculsion that this is a good thing.
3. October 2008 at 10:07 am
MADAME SARKOZY
10. October 2008 at 9:37 pm
Similar to the Westmill Wind Farm in the UK. Blow wind Blow!!!
)
19. October 2008 at 2:53 pm
Coal will run out someday, so will oil and natural gas, it’s lucky that all the “renewable” energy sources are good for the enviroment. Wind and Solar power are definately the best for the Planet.
12. November 2008 at 11:07 am
come to germany, i will show you my numbers on solar energy my house sells to the grid.
5. December 2008 at 12:25 am
You sure got that right. Imagine a world without dust and mucky smog. It will be a beautiful planet blue and atmospherically outrageous dont you think?
30. March 2009 at 3:55 am
damn right
any way there is also water power right?
31. March 2009 at 4:06 am
I believe so but at the moment scientists don’t think its a good idea because that may cuase pollution as well. But the boiling of water idea might be a water power source.
31. March 2009 at 5:53 am
hmmmm……always good to thing about how to save nature
3. April 2009 at 2:32 am
so true.
3. April 2009 at 9:10 am
ok then
5. April 2009 at 7:53 am
Enercon ROCKS
7. December 2009 at 10:18 am
Interesting video here…According to the Department of Energy (DOE) 40% of all energy used in the US be it oil,gas, wind, solar etc is converted into electricity. The power shortage is a major issue and businesses cannot afford blackouts. Hence companies like Pacific Crest Transformers are working in the renewable energy sector wind. It offers custom built energy transformers for wind energy farms. Check the website for more…
18. January 2010 at 11:56 am
The key take-away here is he gets a 280% return on investment over the 20 years. Doing well by doing good – that’s the kind of concept that will make renewable energy independent of government subsidy.
15. July 2010 at 6:16 pm
good video . seems like a very good idea