Wind Energy's Huge Profits at the Taxpayer's Huge Expense

Total Profit: Assuming 30% turbine efficiency, the first year profit for a 100 megawatt (67 turbine, 1.5 MW) project comes to, at a minimum, 18.7 million (from electricity sales + Federal Production Tax Credit + NYSERDA credit) + $8.7 million in tax savings = 27.4 million in year 1, the net cash flow goes up substantially in year 2, goes back to approx. 26.4 million in year 3, and drops down about half in years 4 and 5. The depreciation schedule is one of the incentives granted by .the federal and state governments. (Note-each company which takes over an existing windplant gets to take advantage of the same depreciation schedule as the original company. There is an obvious incentive to sell the wind project after 3 years of operation.)