April 18th, 2008 · 1 Comment

While the wide open spaces of rural Hunt County in Northeast Texas make for an ideal setting for Skystream, the creative conservationist can find a way to do his part — even in the midst of suburban sprawl.

Dr. George Joseph is an ophthalmologist based in Plano, Texas, just north of Dallas. On a similarly breezy day, the 33-foot Skystream tower located across the parking lot from his two-story, 17,000 square foot office complex is spinning merrily, helping the good doctor take the edge off soaring utility costs while doing his bit to preserve the environment.

“We’re trying to leave as little of a carbon imprint as possible,” he says.

Being the first kid on his block to own a Skystream wasn’t without a challenge or two. Joseph had to obtain a permit from a city planning committee that had all kinds of questions about fall lines and dead birds.

“They were thinking we were going to put in one of those huge things they have in West Texas,” he said.

Joseph estimates his investment at about $17,000. He believes the unit generates about two kilowatts per hour. (“Put it this way: That’s enough to run all our emergency lights all night.”) Combined with other energy-saving measures such as placing film on exterior windows and zoned air conditioning, he says, “We probably save $4000 a month. We use 30-40 percent less energy as the next-door building.”

He hopes others will see that tower and consider what they might do to help save the planet.

“We want people to see it’s good technology, it’s efficient technology, and it’s not hurting anything,” he said. “And the wind blows around here all the time.”

Pages: 1 2 3