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 A typical small wind system consists of a wind turbine mounted on a tower, supplementing a home or farm's energy needs whenever the wind is blowing. States with net metering programs allow wind energy producers to sell excess energy back to the utility, essentially causing their electric meter to "spin backwards."
Besides installing small wind turbines to meet their own energy needs, many rural landowners lease land to power companies for large-scale wind projects. Other landowners have pooled their resources to start cooperatively-owned wind projects.
The publications and links below offer information on choosing and putting up a wind turbine of your own, as well as leasing arrangements, funding opportunities, and other factors to consider.
NOTE: Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat
PDFs. Download
Acrobat Reader.
ATTRA Publications
Wind Energy Publications & Links
Where can I get information on Wind Resources and Siting?
What are the Legal and Financial Considerations of wind energy?
What about Small Scale Wind Energy?
Where can I find other General Resources on wind energy?
Are there Success Stories?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Glossary of wind related terms
Wind Resources and Siting
Wind Resource Assessment
Correct estimation wind speed, direction and consistency can make or break the economics of small wind and wind farm development alike. The Wind Resource Assessment tools provide by NREL help to accurately predict these and other factors before installing a wind turbine.
Renewable Energy Atlas of the West
A resource for policy makers, advocates, landowners, developers, and others interested in wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass energy.
The Wind Resource Assessment Handbook [PDF / 2.71M]
A 79-page booklet created in 1997 for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, offering helpful information for those who are considering a wind measurement program.
Siting Wind Turbines
This page from Wind Powering America provides resources and information about siting wind turbines.
Legal and Financial Considerations
Harvesting the Wind [PDF / 396K]
Answers basic questions about large wind turbines and locating them on your land.
Farmers' Guide to Wind Energy: Legal Issues in Farming the Wind [PDF / 7.97M]
An in-depth overview of how to plan a wind project and the considerations that go into developing them, available from the Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG, Inc.).
Wind Energy Production: Legal Issues and Related Liability Concerns for Landowners in Iowa and Across the Nation [PDF / 322K]
The Iowa State University Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (CALT) provides another good overview of the legal considerations for large wind projects.
Landowner Guidelines for Evaluating Wind Energy Production Contracts [PDF / 43K]
The Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics at Michigan State University provide a step-by-step example of considerations related to a wind energy production contract.
Electricity from the Wind: What Landowners Should Know
These EERE resources outline lease agreements, easements, and other factors to take into account when considering large wind turbines on your farm or ranch. [WORD /40K]
On-Farm Wind Power
An introduction to agriculture-related wind energy generation from the Rodale Institute, including information about costs and cooperatives.
Community Wind: A Review of Select State and Federal Policy Incentives [PDF / 1.32M]
This overview of the incentives for developing wind projects is available from the Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG, Inc.).
Community Wind Financing Handbook [PDF / 502K]
A wind project financing handbook from the Environmental Law & Policy Center.
COOPERATIVE WIND: How Co-ops and Advocates Expanded Wind Power in Minnesota
The Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) provides a description of a wind energy co-op plan enacted in 1996 in Minnesota, resulting in the participation of a dozen co-ops producing 1.5 megawatts of electricity.
Small Scale Wind Energy
Small Wind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consumers' Guide [PDF / 1.3M]
A 27-page booklet published in March 2005 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Sistemas Eólicos Pequeños para Generación de Electricidad
Using Wind Energy for Irrigation Power
This Excel spreadsheet from Montana State University allows you to compare up to three different sizes of wind turbines, and up to four different types of irrigation systems, matching electric requirements to wind turbine generating capacity.
Buying a Small Wind Electric System [PDF / 538K]
This guide from the California Energy Commission provides a brief overview of what to consider when purchasing a small wind system.
General Wind Resources
Wind Power and Agriculture: Farming the Wind
This Union of Concerned Scientists' website gives an overview of the U.S. wind industry and explains the processes and costs involved in purchasing wind energy equipment.
Wind Powering America
This U.S. Department of Energy program aims to dramatically increase the use of wind energy in the United States, through wind maps, anemometer loan programs, small wind guides, legislative briefings, and wind working groups.
American Wind Energy Association
A national wind energy trade association, AWEA's website provides information about wind energy projects, technology development, and policy.
National Wind Technology Center
A major wind turbine research facility, NWTC's website includes information on industry partnerships, demonstration projects, and other wind energy resources.
Windustry
Windustry provides technical support and analysis tools in order to increase wind energy opportunities for rural landowners and communities -- including information about landowner rights, risks, and benefits.
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
A non-profit organization promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration projects.
Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development
Northwest SEED seeks to build rural economies and increase the energy independence of the Northwest through clean, affordable, and distributed energy. This website offers technical assistance, project descriptions, renewable energy mapping, and related publications.
Montana Green Power: Wind Energy
Includes a list of factors and costs to consider when deciding on whether to install a wind energy systems, as well as wind maps, wind speed explanations, links, and other resources.
Iowa State Energy Center
The Iowa State Energy Center provides information and tools including a wind assessment study and calculator, case studies, and other wind related resources.
Wind Energy Information Guide [PDF / 46K]
This guide provides a list of state and national organizations with useful resources on wind energy, published by the American Wind Energy Association.
Success Stories
Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative Installs 1.65 MW Turbine, Wins Annual DOE Award
Minnesota Rural Community Negotiates for a 100-Megawatt Wind Energy Project
Northwestern Rural Cooperative Installs Wind Turbines
Illinois Farmer Cuts Energy Bills in Half with Wind and Solar Power
Kendall County, IL: Community Wind Project
See more community owned wind projects at Windustry.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Try these frequently asked questions from AWEA.
Wind Glossary
Glossary of Wind Related Terms from Windustry.
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Last Updated July 22, 2009
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