Those who may want a wind turbine in their backyards have just received strong support from wind energy companies, at the Community Wind Energy 2008 conference in Albany, as the companies have shown they are willing to assist homeowners with the long and difficult process involved in setting up their wind turbines.

The Albany Times Union reports that installing a wind turbine, which would provide low-cost sustainable energy, would cost up to $100,000. Those who get past the sticker shock and can afford to pay for the costs of the wind turbine still face additional roadblocks: they must get permits from municipal governments and the idea for the wind turbine must receive community support. Homeowners must wait at least two months, often much longer, for approval.

This, however, doesn't mean that it's impossible to install a wind turbine in your backyard. At least if you live in a rural area with plenty of open space. The same can't be said for urban areas for two reasons: urban areas, especially major cities such as New York, use up much more energy than small towns, and are also crowded and compacted, leaving no space available for the wind turbine.

However, some of the advantages to owning a wind turbine are that wind power is less expensive and more sustainable. New York state launched a program providing incentives for wind turbine installation projects, covering almost half the total costs of the project. The program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

NYSERDA requires that owners of wind turbines tie into the energy system of their local utility, allowing residents to save on their energy costs through a system known as "net metering." Net metering, a little-known financial benefit granted by local and state governments, allows owners of wind turbines to save on their energy costs by selling the wind-powered electricity they don't use back to the utility.