Hi there,

I admit I also have same hidden agenda to get posting rights. I have been toying with the idea of getting self sustainable for electricity wise for about 3 years. In US situation would have been easy: YES, in most areas it is profitable. Grants are good. I am making 2 small wind turbines at the moment. Mostly for measurement and testing purposes. Electricity prices are going up here and next summer if production seems feasible I'll build 2 x 3.6-4 Kw turbines. Possibly also 4-6 PV panels, max. 1.5 kw. Unfortunately government isn't helping. Only way to get reasonable payback time is to do all mostly from scratches, except solar panels.

Here is a page for some links and calculators: http://offthewheel.weebly.com/solar--wind-investment-calculator.html

If you are lucky and live in windy or sunny area + you can get an investment loan/grant the payback time can be under 10 years, after that profit. Not to mention your CO2 footprint goes down drastically.

I put solar panels on my house.  Set me back about 11K out of pocket.  I have not paid one dime in electricity costs since the installation.  Even if the cost of electricity does not go up the pannels will all be paid off in 7 years.  Then it is all gravy from then on.  With all the rebates I got from the state and the federal goverments it seemed to be a good deal so I did it.  I am very happy with the installation and the fact I no longer pay an electricity bill.

BTW if you are interested you can see all my electricity production and consumption here:  http://egauge327.d.egauge.net

There has been snow on the system for the past few days so very little production.  May have to get up there and sweep them off.  Usually I don't - just wait for it to melt off.

Good luck getting out of the noob purgatory!