Frequently Asked Questions about Wind Generators

What you need to know about installing a Wind Generator for your home, cottage, small business or multi-unit residential property.

How much can I expect to spend?

Wind energy systems are about 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of an equivalent solar PV system. Your proposed site location will determine which renewable technology is best suited for your application. At many locations, we recommend a hybrid system consisting of both wind and solar technology.

All of the energy systems we offer for sale include 'state of the art' components, complete with substantial and impressive warranties, unlike those in any other manufacturing sector. The warranties in themselves speak for the quality of our product line.
 

It would not be uncommon for a residential sized wind turbine installation to run anywhere from $20K - $60K as a 'turn-key' operation. This is just an approximate range and certain variables such as turbine type and power ratings, height of tower, terrain etc could force this figure to vary considerably. On the other hand, we also offer battery charging wind turbine systems, that you can install yourself for under $1000.

Bottom line therefore, is that it all depends on YOU and what you want to spend or expect your system to do. A $1000 wind energy system is NOT going to run your house ! (cabin or cottage maybe)
 

If you already have a pre-determined maximum dollar figure that you wish to spend, please let us know up front. Undoubtedly, we can still work within your budget to provide you with a scaled down, but none-the-less, viable renewable energy system. We have no wish to waste your time or ours by quoting on a system which you clearly are not prepared to purchase.

In the design stages, we initially ask clients to provide information on their current electrical consumption. This data can usually be retrieved from your electricity bills or from your local electricity supplier. We do need to know whether you wish to supplement 10%, 30%, 65% or even 100% of that consumption, as that information is vital in determining the size and cost of the turbine and it's peripheral equipment. Obviously, the higher the % , the more powerful a unit will be required, and hence the more costly a system can become.

Ultimately, our goal is to work co-operatively with you, to provide you with the highest quality components, realistic energy outcomes and to do so at the best possible market price.

In exchange, we ask you to think very seriously about your own objectives and to inform us of any constraints that might limit you in the decision making process.

What size and type of wind turbine do I require ?

The size and type of wind turbine required to meet your needs depends upon a number of factors such as:

1. your present electrical energy consumption in kilowatt-hours per month ?
2. what percentage ( 0 - 100 ) of your consumption do you wish to replace using a renewable energy source ? Of course 100% meaning a totally off grid with battery bank system.
3. the size of a financial investment you wish to consider.
4. the proposed physical and geographical location of the wind turbine.
5. the determination for either a pole mounted upwind or downwind Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) or a roof top mounted Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT).

Generally speaking, for average residential applications a 1 kw - 2 kw turbine (when coupled with a solar PV system) or a 2 kw - 3 kw wind turbine are considered 'typical'.

Larger turbines are available for larger demand situations.

Can I put up a wind turbine at my location ?

Generally speaking a wind turbine installation requires you to own a minimum 1 acre of land due to individual municipal bylaws pertaining to set back requirements and guy wire placement for the tower (if used). If you do own a minimum 1 acre of land you must also consider the surrounding buildings and trees. As a general rule of thumb your wind generator should be 20' to 30' higher than the top of any building and/or trees that lay within a 250' radius of the tower base. For example, if the tallest tree on your property is 60' and it's approximately 200' away from your tower location, the overall height of your tower should be a minimum of 80'. An ideal location would be on a rural hilltop with a strong prevailing wind. If you live within the boundaries of a village, town or otherwise populated area, most likely you will find that there are far too many restrictions and covenants to make it worth your while . In that event, we do offer solar PV and solar hot water systems which are generally quite acceptable in most, if not all urban municipalities. On the other hand, a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) such as the Cleanfield 3.5 would work well mounted on a flat roof top of a multi-unit residential or commercial property. The higher the tower (or building) the better.

Can I install the system myself to save money ?

Unless you are a licensed contractor/electrician you will require the services of a professional installation crew. You may perhaps already know, or prefer local contractors capable of doing the work for you, and we would be pleased to work with them on your behalf.

In most cases, engineered tower drawings and specifications will be required by local agencies, before approvals may be given to proceed. We can usually provide all the technical information that you will require.

Most municipalities and agencies may require an on-going inspection process and a final approval before your system may be activated.

We can also recommend installers and provide you with a cost estimate for your installation.

What about obtaining necessary Permits ?

Please read this carefully... you need to be prepared to be very patient waiting for permits and approvals for your wind turbine. If you live in legislated protected land areas such as the Niagara Escarpment 'World Biosphere', there may be additional delays or 'hearings' in order to obtain local approval. To date, our experience has been waiting periods of between 6 months to one year from signed Purchase Agreement to an installed, grid-connected, operating wind turbine. Since you already reside in the area, we strongly recommend that you start making the necessary enquiries with local agencies as early as possible to avoid disappointment and delays. If you encounter any roadblocks we would be pleased to intervene on your behalf by supplying any technical information required. Generally the installation of solar PV systems meet with fewer complications.

Often, but not always, obtaining the necessary permits from "authorities having jurisdiction" will be the most time-consuming and frustrating step in the process of design, permitting, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance of a small wind project. These agencies may include: local planning and zoning boards, adjustment commitees, local building department and code enforcement office, electric utility, and possibly others.

Do I need to have batteries ?

No. As with solar, the simplest, most economical wind energy systems are tied in directly to the electric grid without intervening battery storage. A device called a grid-tie inverter takes care of the conversion of the wind power into grid-synchronous AC power. You may also qualify (in Ontario and perhaps in other jurisdictions) to participate in a "net metering program", details of which may be found here.

If you live outside of Ontario, please consult with your electricity provider for relevant details on their specific programs.
If you wish to have backup power, then you will need to have batteries in order to store wind energy for usage in the event of a utility failure. Grid-tied systems must be de-activated when there is a grid interruption due to inclement weather or other causes.

We strongly recommend a small to moderately sized back-up system especially for 'rural' customers.

Is wind a more cost-effective option than solar?

In many applications we recommend a combination system, consisting of both solar and wind energy technology.
The choice to use an exclusive wind energy system depends on the wind resource at your site. We consider a grid-connected wind turbine to be an economically viable investment where the average annual wind speed exceeds 5.0m/s (11.2mph) at 30m (98ft) above ground level. With this resource and with existing incentives, the simple payback period from energy savings is about 15 years, while the return on investment (ROI) over the estimated 30 year lifespan of a small wind turbine is about 6%. The biggest assumption in this calculation is the inflation rate in the cost of electricity over time which we (conservatively?) assume to be 5% per year.

Please note: we are not representing ourselves as accountants or investment analysts. We can provide you with a complete costing for equipment and installation, current utility rates, rate projections and general trends. However, we strongly suggest that you personally consult with a certified accountant or investment representative of your choosing to get a detailed analysis on your own rate of return.

Any investment in a 'renewable energy system' immediately adds monetary value to your property. Upon sale of your property at some point down the road, you will be able to realize this increased property value in a much higher re-sale figure. For further comments on this, click here and review the latest Ipsos-Reid survey by clicking on the November 27 /07 link. This 'increased property value' is a factor that most people tend to overlook when considering a renewable energy system. It is certainly a major factor to be considered when evaluating a 'true' rate of return on your investment.

What can I expect from a Site Evaluation for wind energy?

A Site Evaluation allows us to investigate the details of a site prior to developing designs and proposals for its renewable energy system(s). Equally important, the visit allows us to take a series of digital photographs and the time to answer any and all questions that prospective clients may have. For grid-connected or off-grid wind energy systems, we will first need to assess the adequacy of the wind resource. A preliminary assessment of the wind resource should be done prior to committing to the time and expense of a formal Site Evaluation. Normally, we do a complete energy output analysis using available wind data on www.windatlas.ca You are welcome to access this site yourself and should you encounter any difficulties we would be happy to assist you. Please Contact Us

You will require the following information before you start:

1. Your postal code or your exact location (longitude and latitude)...Lot #'s and concession #'s are also useful.
2. technical data on the specific wind turbine such as start-up speed, rated speed, rated power and hub height above ground.
    

During a Site Evaluation, we also identify potential sites for wind tower(s), road accessibility, determine wiring distances, location for inverter(s), capacity of the existing electrical service, and point-of-connection to the utility.

A central issue which we discuss at some length with our wind system clients is permitting of the project by all "authorities having jurisdiction" i.e., Towns (Zoning Boards, Planning Boards, Building Code enforcement personnel), the electric utility, and others as applicable.

For off-grid wind systems, additional issues that must be addressed include load analysis, battery capacity, battery type, and identification of critical (backed-up) loads.

Permitting, ....while usually less of a "process" for off-grid systems, must still be addressed.

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