How to Site a Wind Turbine

Wind turbines are gaining popularity as an alternative energy source for both small- and large-scale installations alike. Industrial-scale wind farms are springing up across the country. Electric utilities are experimenting with installing small wind turbines atop utility poles. And homeowners are turning to wind turbines as a renewable energy source to meet their electrical needs. Before you can install a wind turbine, you need to find the right site.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Investigate local codes and zoning regulations to find out whether they allow wind turbines. Not all cities or towns welcome wind turbines.
2. Determine whether your property has at least one acre of land. If not, and if you are certain you want to install a wind turbine, buy a property that has a minimum of one acre of land. Again, be sure the town where the property is located allows the installation of wind turbines.
3. Estimate the site's wind resource. You can estimate the wind resource by many different methods. You can use the U.S. Dept. of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's interactive wind resource map tool. You can request wind speed data from a local airport. You can do a visual survey of the site to see if there are any obvious signs of vegetation flagging. Or you can buy wind measurement equipment to take actual measurements at the site.
4. Evaluate the site's soil conditions. Good soil is necessary to securely anchor the wind turbine tower.
5. Look for a view. Open vistas mean the wind resource will be better because there will be fewer obstructions interfering with the wind flow. Also, smooth terrain, such as a rounded hill, is better than jagged, rough terrain. The surface terrain creates friction. Smooth terrain limits the reduction in wind resource.

Tips & Warnings

• Vegetation flagging is the effect that strong winds have on vegetation. Vegetation flagging is evident if trees and other plants are tilted in one direction. The stronger the tilt, the stronger the prevailing winds and the better the wind resource.
• If you're buying property--be it land on which you plan to build your home or land with an existing home--with the sole purpose of installing a wind turbine, make sure you protect yourself in the purchase and sale agreement. Include as one of your contingencies to the offer a statement that you do not have to meet the terms of the purchase and sale if the site fails to meet your wind turbine siting requirements. You should have the property evaluated by a wind turbine professional in the same way you would have a home inspected by a qualified home inspector.

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