In Palo Alto, CA, a medical foundation is putting their power where the need is. They are putting up a wind turbine from a new start-up company, and it will be installed at the foundation itself, which means it could be a money-maker for the foundation, and will certainly be a huge money-saver.
Solar panels are becoming more common on the tops of industrial buildings, but wind power potential is typically far greater in coastal areas, by as much as 10-to-1. Why not put at least some of the wind turbines where they can do the most good, namely, in the cities who will be using the power? That way the friction between the NIMBY syndrome versus the industrialization of the countryside can be at least lessened. Sometimes just the honest effort will bring progress where none was anticipated.
For an article on the Palo Alto installation, see this article by Will Oremus at the Palo Alto Daily News.