WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 - Egg Beaters or Windmills?

Egg Beaters or Windmills?

CAMDEN, Del.- They look like you could make a Christmas cake with them, but the Wygant family of Camden is being energy efficient starting this holiday season.

The 12-and-a-half foot blades sit on their roof as part of a windmill system that is an alternative energy source for the Wygant family. Mark Wygant first looked into installing solar panels, but the development he lives in does not allow for them.

"I wanted solar panels originally and about three years ago my wife went door to door in the neighborhood with some neighbors trying to get deed restrictions changed, but that did not happen," Wygant said.  Then, he turned to wind energy.

Wygant imported the windmills from China, then picked them up in Philadelphia.  Once in Delaware, Wygant and his father-in-law installed the 1,600-pound windmills.

Gov. Jack Markell signed a law allowing homeowners in the state to have wind turbines on their properties, so the Wygant's turbines look like they are here to stay.

Wygant did not say exactly how much the windmills cost him, but he did get grant money from the state. 

"Between the Delaware green energy money grant and federal tax write off, I'm hoping I'll be able to pay the system off in about four to five years," he said. "Anything after that is just money in my pocket."

The windmills have just been up for five days, but have drawn a crowd.  Wygant said he has not heard backlash from neighbors about the windmills. 

Chris Hurd of Camden, said of the windmills, "It's a great use of space and if it provides an alternative energy source then I'm all for it. Is it as appealing to the eye as solar panels? No, probably not. But if it works, it's OK."