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Community Systems Wind power is currently the fastest growing source of electricity, and in most cases the cheapest, on the planet (Wind farms in north-east Iowa sell power for 3 cents per kwh, while in Fairfield, we pay about 12 cents per kwh). The wind potential in Fairfield, while not the best in Iowa, is greater than much of the rest of the country. Jefferson County would need nineteen 1650kw turbines with an 82 meter blade diameter (such as, the Danish NEG-Micon NM-82 on 165 foot towers) at a cost of $25,000,000 (approx. $4800 per household) to supply all of the annual residential electrical energy needs at the current average usage of 1000 kwh per month. However, most of this energy is wasted. If we implemented an off-the-shelf cost effective energy saving measures like the Isbell family in Vinton, Iowa (at a cost of $9,000,000 or $1500 per household), then we could decrease the number of turbines required to only 3, at a cost of $4,500,000 (a one-time cost of $712 per household - about what many families spend per year on cell phone service). For more information on community wind, please visit Windustry, a non-profit organization working to increase wind energy opportunities for rural landowners and communities by providing technical support and creating tools for analysis. Fairfield has the potential to be the example-city of the future.  Estimate Wind Potential in Your Area:  |