After a recent visit to Ambergris Caye I wondered if wind power generation has been considered there. I can see that the space required for large scale solar power systems could make that option prohibitive, but a few windmills would not be. Has this been discussed before?

I just did a simple search on, Wind Power, for 1 year back, in body and topic, and got about 21 pages worth of posts...so I believe it has!

I remember thinking the same thing last year when we visited. When we were in Tulum a couple of years ago, many resorts used wind power to add to their electricity output. So, why isn't it used in San Pedro? Dawg

the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.

or more accurately perhaps in those 21 pages.....

Cute, but of no value.

Our inhouse expert on Hot Air has spoken.

This is a topic that comes around every few months. Yes a search under "Wind power" will be fruitful, as the experts have chimed in before. Go solar with a small wind back up.
Here is the link to the most recent discussion on the board.
//ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/448034/1.html

Thanks Chica Blanca! I don't go on this site often enough to know to look back at old posts. I probably could find this too but could you tell me is solar used more in San Pedro or is it too expensive to make it worthwhile. We will be in San Pedro in less than 4 weeks and can't wait. That had nothing to do with solar but I can't help being excited!!! Dawg

Solar cells have gotten much cheaper lately. The batteries have gotten more expensive however.
AGM is actually more expensive that golf cart even though AGM cost less than half as much. As Chica explains you should only take 10 to 15% of the power off the top of the AGM cells but you can take more than half of the power from a golf cart without hurting it.

Dawg,
Solar is a better option here for a few reasons. Solar is not expensive as everyone thinks, don't believe the hype. Prices have plunged in the past few years for panels. It's the charge controller, inverter and batteries that make the greatest cost. You would have these costs with wind as well.
1. No moving parts to rust in the salt air
2. silent. Have you ever been around a large turbine? LOUD
3. Wind speeds are not consistent on the island. You need at least a 8-12 mph consistent wind speed. We do not live in the "trade winds" route.
4. It's almost always sunny in Paradise.

Our neighbor has a 25kw turbine that cost $25,000 US. In 5 years it's been replaced once, rebuilt once and the former owner still ran a generator to the tune of $15,000 gas bill in 1 year. It is on a 50' tower, dwarfing all the trees around, it can been seen 1/2 mile away and heard 1/4 mile away (when working). The new owners recently put up solar panels...