Nov 25 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Patrick Cassidy Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass.

Motorists passing from Hyannis into West Yarmouth will notice a new addition to the roof of the gas island at Christy's Market just over the border.

The store is the first of the 15 on Cape Cod owned by convenience store magnate Christy Mihos to sport a trio of small wind turbines. Similar 9-foot-high turbines are planned for nine other stores.

"We're very happy," Mihos said yesterday.

Although the turbines have not yet been hooked into the electrical grid, Mihos said he expects they will be connected within the next 10 days.

Each turbine costs between $12,000 and $15,000 to construct, Mihos said, and each is expected to generate 1.5 kilowatts of electricity.

They are expected to cover about 30 percent of the electricity bill for the store. A typical monthly electricity bill for the West Yarmouth location is $3,200, Mihos said.

The next Christy's store scheduled to host turbines is on the other side of Yarmouth in the Bass River area, followed by the store at 156 Iyannough Road in Hyannis.

Mihos said Monday he would apply for permits for the Iyannough Road location.

Having installed the turbines in one location, Mihos hopes they will provide an example for board members of groups like the Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District, who raised concerns earlier this year about the effect of turbines proposed for the Ocean Street store.

"I think both boards that are involved with that particular one at least now have a site specific location to go to see what these look like," Mihos said.

Mihos also pointed out that the turbines are being installed without the use of any public funds, alluding to a proposal by Cape Wind Associates to build 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound. "We're paying for it privately," he said.

Mihos is the co-chairman of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, Cape Wind's most vocal opponent. He owns two properties on Great Island in West Yarmouth within sight of the 25 square miles where Cape Wind hopes to build its turbines.

A dispute between Mihos and his brother, James, over whether the former had the right to install turbines on the Ocean Street store without asking permission has been taken care of, Christy Mihos said.

James Mihos is a general partner of Olde Northeast Realty LP, -- the company that owns the Ocean Street property that Christy Mihos leases for his store.

"That's been handled," Christy Mihos said. "That isn't even an issue."

James Mihos and an attorney representing Olde Northeast Realty LP did not return e-mails and telephone calls yesterday.

Underneath the turbines yesterday afternoon, Bill Kelly of South Dennis said he thought Mihos had a good idea.

"It's smart," he said, adding that he would do it in his own home if it were not for zoning restrictions.

"A lot of things the government does doesn't make sense," Kelly said before getting in his van and driving away.