Micro-renewables (Wind, Solar...), Micro-energy not Useful

Micro generation can’t solve climate change, says George Monbiot in this article

By George Monbiot. Published in New Scientist, 3rd October 2006

Excerpts:
1. ...discovery that renewable micro generation has been grossly overhyped. Those who maintain that our own homes can produce all the renewable electricity and heat they need are probably incorrect.
2. Last year, there was a claim that a micro wind turbine could meet half of all a household's electric needs. It was later proved that a much larger wind turbine is required for generating equivalent power.
3. Turbulence makes wind generators even less efficient. To avoid it, you must place them at least 11 metres above any obstacle within 100 metres(4). On most houses, this means constructing a minor hazard to aircraft, and also a hazard to your house.
4. In almost all circumstances, micro wind turbines are a waste of time and money.
5. Similar claims for micro-solar energy are misleading as well.
6. Constraints affect all micro renewables
7. The electricity system cannot be run on wind alone. But surely it’s clear that building giant offshore windmills is a far better use of our time and money than putting mini-turbines.

Personalities mentioned: environmental architect Bill Dunster; Half Gone, Jeremy Leggett, the chief executive of Solar Century

Link found at the Watt blog

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