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Letter Re: Advice on Backup Power for a Ranch in Western Canada

Hello,
I'm debating with myself. Do I install wind power or purchase and fill another diesel tank? The wind power would be the best investment, but my concern is the wind tower would be a giant sign that a prepared person lives here. I live in the middle of the Canadian west 10 miles from a town of 1,000 people 40 miles from a city of 25,000 people and 250 miles from a city of 400,000 people. I own 1,000 acres and my yard is in the middle. Does the distance from large population give me enough protection to install the wind power?

I think the only drawbacks of my location is winter and the government. We are working on changing the government. I also think plenty of water is a good trade for winter.

OBTW, I would be willing to lease land at a discounted price to any reader who is interested.
Thanks for your help. - Ethan.

JWR Replies: I only expect fuel prices to continue to escalate, so simply adding more diesel tank storage space might be a mistake. But so might be getting a wind generator. Let me explain: As I describe in my preparedness novel "Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse", small wind generators are generally more trouble than they are worth. They tend to fail in high winds, usually in the dead of winter. If a wind generator's automatic prop feathering mechanism, or its tail-vane flipping mechanism fail, a generator can run over speed during high wind gusts, and tear itself apart. This happens with alarming frequency. Who wants to climb a tower and work with hand tools to swap brushes or other parts at a time like that? For the past 25 years, the cost-per-watt for photovoltaic (PV) panels has come down steadily, but meanwhile both the cost-per-watt and the reliability of wind generators has remained about the same. Also consider the safety factor. Raising or lowering any large wind generator from a tower is a tricky operation. In the present day, I would recommend hiring a crane company to do so. In the event of TEOTWAWKI, where no mechanized help would be available, you would have to do it yourself, and that could be a real risk. And of course there is the OPSEC factor if there are any public roads with line-of-sight to your property. That is probably not an issue--since your home is in the middle of a 1,000 acre parcel, but it could be a issue for many other retreat owners.

Even at your high latitude, it might be more cost-effective to use PVs. Talk it over with an alternative energy pro, like Bob Grizwald (with Ready Made Resources) or Steve Willey (with Backwoods Solar Electric Systems.)

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