Now as far as is Wind a good idea.... well yes and no. If you have $3000 and would like to reduce your grid dependency and produce clean energy, then consider this: A $3k turbine is a decent sized turbine, it will help, it wont be to large (the higher the better) and you will be satisfied, $3k of solar panels is roughly the same situation, you will reduce dependency and will be happy with your investment. Now 5 years later, your mechanical turbine is still spinning away, and your panels are still sitting away, both producing great power outputs and you'd like to invest another $3k, well for the wind, you buy a second turbine and now you have two little machines whizzing away, but the solar guy, just buys more panels, plugs them in and expanding his exisitng setup. 5 years down the road, your mechinical turbine is getting worn out, 10 years of constant spinning pays it toll, gears are wearing, blades are flexible (less efficient) but still an overall producer, the solar panels, still sitting there. My point is turbine units cannot be upgraded and since they are mechincal will wear out faster in time. A cheap solar unit now can be upgraded slowly as time/money permit.