The cost of wind energy fell dramatically from the 1980s through 2003, but has increased about 30% over the past few years due to increased construction costs, the weakening US dollar, increased commodity and energy costs, increased market demand, and changes in the structure and terms of project financing.
In the United States, leasing land to wind energy developers continues to be the most common way rural landowners are participating in wind energy. As the wind industry grows, wind developers are increasing the amount of land they are leasing to keep their future market share from slipping away. Because of this, landowners in windy areas need solid advice about wind energy and what signing a wind energy lease or easement means to both them and future generations who will inherit the land.
Currently, most landowners who participate in commercial-scale wind development do so by entering into a lease or easement agreement with a commercial wind developer.
If you have a good wind resource and land that is well-suited for wind turbines, you still must consider how your community views and regulates wind power. Communities around the country are working to find the best ways to permit and tax wind generation facilities. Their decisions are vital to windy areas because they determine the impacts and benefits of wind energy projects for the broader community. Some states, like Minnesota, have developed statewide policies but still involve local agencies in the process, while most states leave it to the counties or other local permitting agencies to create regulations and issue permits.
This section focuses on project management and planning, two elements that are essential to a successful 2-50 MW community wind project. Topics covered in this section include putting together a reliable project team and understanding risks and ways to mitigate them. The section also provides resources for creating a realistic project plan and timeline, as well as tips from experienced community wind developers.
Assessing your wind resource is a critical piece of planning a wind project. Click on the link at the bottom of this page to view a presentation given by Wes Slaymaker for a Wisconsin Focus on Energy Seminar in February 2005.
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Through innovative legislative policy, state programs, and utility initiatives, Minnesota has begun a transition to using clean, renewable, and domestic energy sources. As the most cost-competitive and market-ready renewable energy technology, wind energy is at the forefront of this transition.
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