Seeking Entrepreneurs to Develop a Business Model for Wind Farms
PickensPlan Peers,
My name is Joseph Armour, and I would like to organize a group that will produce a business model for our movement to use. As PickensPlan gathers momentum, it is important that we empower those who wish to move beyond discussion, and proceed with action. By utilizing our collective strengths, I believe that we can develop a business model for establishing medium to large-scale wind farms that are commercially viable. Please post any ideas that you may have for creating this business model.
My name is Joseph Armour, and I would like to organize a group that will produce a business model for our movement to use. As PickensPlan gathers momentum, it is important that we empower those who wish to move beyond discussion, and proceed with action. By utilizing our collective strengths, I believe that we can develop a business model for establishing medium to large-scale wind farms that are commercially viable. Please post any ideas that you may have for creating this business model.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Armour on -
Hello, all.
I apologize for my absence this last week. I have a few research papers due within the next two weeks.
The comments contributed below are definitely moving us toward "understanding what we don't understand", which is exactly where we need to be going. I am in communication with two wind farm developers, and have tentative meetings scheduled after August 2nd. My intent is to learn what I can from individuals that have actual experience in deploying wind farms.
Personally, I have always felt that "more heads are better than one" when it comes to problem solving. I see that our group contains numerous individuals that can offer relevant perspectives. Although I have been compiling a list of questions for my upcoming meetings in August, I am hoping that some of our group members could post what they feel are some of the most important questions needed to be answered.
Considering our objective, developing a business model for wind farms, please post the questions that you feel must first be answered in order to take the next step in developing a business model/plan.
Thank you,
-Joseph Armour
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Permalink Reply by Stacy Muntz on -
I have 5 acres in Mulberry and would very much like to set up a a wind farm. Please let me know what I can do.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Laymon on
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Armour on
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Great to have you on board, Mark.
I see that your skills will be best used for the marketing of our plan. We need someone with your talents.
If you are interested in contributing immediately, the group needs to attract qualified professionals that can help with the economics of creating a business model. At this stage we especially need members with some type of experience in wind farm development, as well as someone with a specialization is real estate/property law.
Do you know a way to market our group to these types of people?
-Joseph Armour
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Armour on
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That's a great idea, Susie. I think profit-sharing with the land owners is a wise solution, and a point that I feel should be part of our model. Unless industry "best practices" dictate otherwise, your suggestion makes more sense than strong-arming property owners through eminent domain or buying the land outright.
Thanks for contributing, Susie!
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Armour on
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Welcome to the discussion, Marilynn!
I, too, am learning many things. Before PickensPlan was announced, I only studied the subject of wind energy if there was a conveniently placed article in a newspaper of magazine. It's exciting to explore a subject matter that seems to benefit everyone.
If you happen across any information about who is deploying the wind farms in your area, please share it with the group. I would like to try an get a phone interview with one of the project managers from one of the wind farm developers in "them thar hills". :-)
We're excited to have you.
-Joseph Armour
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Permalink Reply by Pamela Whiteley on -
I am interested in joining and helping any way that I can. I am a retired CPA. I have prepared projections and pro forma statements when I worked at Tyson. Northwest Arkansas may not be the best area for wind generation. However, there is a town in Missouri that has the electric utility on 100% wind! It is a small town. Also, the Episcopalion church in Springdale has 3 windmills operating. Joseph, Mark, or Susie, would you like to go with me to visit the business manager of the church in Springdale?
Susie, if you contact your local utility company ask them if they purchase electricity generation. If they are interested, they may help guide you on testing your land for wind flow. Many utility companies are facing increasing demand and do not want to outlay the capital for another coal generator if there is a better method available to them.
Those are all the ideas I can think of. How can we all meet together? I live in Sprindgale, AR .
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Armour on
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Good afternoon, Pamela.
I am available to visit with the business manager at the church in Springdale and would be interested in joining you on a visit. Can you set up a meeting with the church?
-Joseph
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Permalink Reply by Johnny Black on -
Don't forget to add costs in the model associated with adding this generation to the grid. Also, depending on the area of the country, var compensation may be required and this could add cost to the total project cost.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny Black on
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This link will provide wind pattern information for various locations.
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Permalink Reply by Jon M Stresing on -
I am an accountant graduating in December. I am quite familiar with business however don't have too much money saved up. If someone will help finance me as an angel investor, I will open up an alternative energy store in my city and sell wind and solar to the 10's of thousands of farmers in the 100 miles around me. There is no source for alternative energy around me. I am putting together a business plan now and any help anyone could give me would be appreciated and will eventually help the country once I implement this. It could be very profitable and also help the USA and planet. Please help.
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Permalink Reply by hudson on -
Joseph,
I am really interested in this project. Why should Boone take all the profit! I will be graduating in December from UNT with a BAAS (general studies of business with a focus on economics). I do not have much experience in the real business world. I think we should really look at Sweetwater, Texas as a guide, and benchmark for this project. This project calls for an economic development plan. We should look towards cities in the Great Plain that would support the idea. Cities that would sell us land, give tax incentives, tax breaks, and/or grants. The plan should involve a competent work force for our project. The main reason cities would like this plan is like Sweetwater the project provides jobs for the surrounding area. I personally think we should stay away from coastal wind farms because the technology is not all the way there yet, and they are way more expensive then land wind farms. I think this is a great idea and I want to be apart of this.
Hudson
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