Some people regard Natrona County's wind not as the howling bane of their existence, but as a valuable resource.

If you have a wind turbine, said Deb Theriault of Casper's SunPower Energy, "You're making money when the wind is blowing."

The same is true when the sun is shining. Excited electrons can be rounded up and converted into electricity.

And if the increasing number of calls SunPower has been fielding is an indicator, interest in wind and solar power is growing.

But while wind and solar energy are free, putting them to use in your home is not.

Gene Theriault said a wind turbine costs about $14,000 installed, while a small solar system runs about $18,000 - $16,000 after a $2,000 tax credit.

Wind and solar for residential use are limited by several factors, not least of which is the low cost of electricity in Wyoming.

"It's impossible to cost-justify over a short period of time any renewable energy purchase," Gene said, adding that people who have systems from SunPower were motivated by factors other than saving money.

Mark Boname, owner of the Platte River Fly Shop, had his wind turbine installed last spring. Because the environment and North Platte River are integral to his livelihood, Boname said he wanted to reduce his carbon footprint.

More than a money-saving measure, he said, "I felt it was the right thing to do."

Governmental policy, including such things as tax credits and regulations, can play a powerful role in the spread of alternative energy technologies for home use, Gene said.

In California, for example, a homeowner can be required to trim trees that interfere with a neighbor's sunlight, if the solar panels predate the trees.

Unless a home sits on an acre of land and includes unimpeded wind, a turbine most likely won't be recommended, Gene said.

"The problem with wind turbines, in my estimation, is noise," he said. "Not loud, but there is a noise."

There should be 100 feet between a wind turbine and your neighbor, he added.

Solar technology probably has wider applicability in town than a wind turbine. Solar panels require a good view of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The local permitting process for renewable energy is evolving. "What we have here is technology running in front of rules and regulations," Gene said.

Associate City Planner Craig Collins said an ordinance is the works that would govern wind turbines. Included would be considerations like height, color, noise, setbacks and settings in which turbines would be allowed.

Collins hopes a new ordinance will be ready for consideration by the city council within the next couple months.

An application for wind turbines at VFW Post 9439 on Bryan Stock Trail was handled with a conditional use permit, he added.

Collins said he is also aware of old regulations pertaining to solar energy that apparently date to the late 1970s or early 1980s. "I don't know that we've ever used them," he said.

Currently, Natrona County allows domestic wind generators in urban/agricultural, commercial and ranching, agricultural and mining (RAM) districts based on a restriction that the devices are no more than 60 feet in height.

"One thing we don't have is actual domestic wind generator conditions," said County Planning Director Blair Leist. "Right now, all we have to go by is that definition. But we are looking into setting regulations."

Leist said because the county commissioners have set a precedent, residents seeking conditional use permits should expect permission for generators that are no more than about 36 feet in height.

Reach business editor Tom Mast at (307) 266-0574 or tom.mast@trib.com. Reporter Megan Lee contributed to this article.