Small wind market takes off

[jpak]

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/energywatch/renewables/features/article_1296050.php/Small_wind_market_takes_off

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- Increasing numbers of homeowners, small businesses and farms are installing wind turbines to generate electricity.

The growing number of states with tax incentives and net-metering programs is making residential wind power more feasible. Currently, there is residential wind power in 41 states, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

'In the last three years, all of a sudden there`s been an extreme increase in demand,' said Andy Kruse, co-founder and vice president of business development for Southwest Windpower.

Increasing electricity costs, 50 percent to 70 percent spikes in deregulated states, concerns about stability and energy security and the 'tidal wave of people' looking at environmental issues are some of the reasons Kruse believes are behind the jump in small wind.

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