Last steps in the foundation for our Re-driven 10k wind turbine

The last step of building the foundation is taking the forms off and the dirt is pushed back.

Now were back to waiting. First, waiting for the cement to cure and then for the tower and turbine to arrive.

Rodney from Rual Bolt Generation and Wind says the parts will be coming in about 4-7 weeks. He said he would try to do a better job at keeping us up-to-date on what is happening.

Getting ready for the tower and cabling

This week the people that place little flags to mark the electric and phone lines will be coming. This is to make sure that we don’t dig in the wrong area for the wind turbine foundation and the underground cables to attach to the inverter.

It is also time to get insurance. I talked to my insurance company back in February when I started this project.

One article on the net that I found helpful on insurance was this one by Mick Sagrillo, Sagrillo Power & Light


http://www.awea.org/smallwind/sagrillo/ms_insur2.html


We’ll need insurance for an “appurtenant structure” and possibly liability insurance (which we already have). From what I’ve read so far, it seems New York State doesn’t allow utilities to require liability insurance.

Going with the 80 foot tower!

I’ve decided to go with the 80 foot tower .

-The payback period is shorter

- I wouldn’t have to wait for NYSERDA to re-approve me

- I'm getting a tower that has been out and working for over a year

- I’ve spent a lot of money all ready – it is time to make some green power!

My installer says he is ordering the anchors, rebar and pad. We should be ready to dig in 3 weeks. Now I’ve got to clean my garage so I have room on the wall for the inverter equipment. I think my installer said he needed a 6ft by 6ft space. I’ll have to ask again for the spec for that that wall.

Still waiting to get the price of the Redriven 100 or 120ft tower

I'm still waiting for the price for the 100 and 120 foot towers. On June 4th, Rodney said he would have the price in a week or so Does anyone know of anyone that has gotten a price for the 100 or 120 foot tower for the 10K? At some point, I'm going to have to just go with 80' . I can't wait for ever to see if I might be able to afford a higher tower.

Waiting for NYSERDA

I’m in the final stages of getting verbal NYSERDA approval! No, I’m not sure what that means, but this has been taking a long time. NYSERDA is The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority that gives funds for alternative energy. This project would not be possible with out their approval.

NYSERDA required an environmental study. That slowed my application down a little. Apparently, most towns require an impact study. My town didn't require a study, so I had to get them to fill out the forms. If not, I'd have to do the NYSERDA study that is pages and pages.

I also had to sign off on the promised power that my system will produce. NYSERDA’s estimates on the wind I'll have seem low, but I guess they want you to be realistic about the power you could produce.

There is some good in this wait. While I’ve been waiting, Redriven has started to offer 100 and 120 ft towers. I’m waiting to see the pricing of those options, but that means getting a new permit too. Once I get the pricing of the towers I'll do the comparison.

I guess I better get used to this waiting. My installer said that once we get the approval, it will take one month for the cement to cure for the base.