During the past five years, companies have begun to produce more and more residential wind turbines. Unlike their larger commercial brethren, a residential wind turbine will often stand only a few feet high and can begin generating electricity at wind speeds as low as 3 mph.

One model being developed by the Muskegon-based E-Net LLC could cost less than $2,000 and be capable of producing up to 20 percent of a home’s electricity.

Another model, Southwest Windpower’s Skystream — which is capable of generating up to 40 percent of a home’s power – already has sold 2,000 units nationwide, despite a price tag that starts at $12,000.

For those people who strongly believe in the need for renewable energy, it’s clear that it’s the time to practice what you preach. Although $2,000 might seem like a large initial investment, people should realize the long-term savings will likely dwarf that amount, providing a financial benefit in addition to the benefit a person will be providing to the planet’s health.

Imagine the benefit if the majority of people used the wind to help power their homes. The savings on the amount of limited resources such as coal and natural gas would be staggering.

The largest hurdle green energy enthusiasts have to overcome, however, is dealing with their neighbors.

Wind turbines are hardly inconspicuous and can be noisy at times. Many people might see them as eyesores reducing the value of their homes rather than a progressive measure of renewable energy.

To those who oppose the placement of the turbines, we simply ask: Don’t plenty of people have other eyesores on their property? Whether it’s a shed, a propane tank or even the color of a house, neighbors have disagreed over one thing or the other for years.

As the costs of the devices decrease, it’s easy to foresee planned communities where each house is outfitted with a turbine, making those with the devices the norm as opposed to the odd man out.

That idea of a green suburb might still have to wait, however, as many cities have restrictions on which houses might utilize the devices. Some communities have placed restrictions on the devices, including minimum amounts of land required to erect a wind turbine.

Although some of the communities – such as Michigan’s Shelby Township — that have restricted the device are trying to loosen the requirements, that’ll take time.

Fortunately, MSU students have plenty of time. For most students who simply are renting an apartment or house, installing a wind turbine is simply impossible.

But the time will come — and likely quicker than many will think — when those same students will own their own home. By that time, the technology will hopefully be ready and waiting.

The future isn’t quite now, but it’s definitely right around the corner.