This web site uses the AWEA Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard for product listing and comparison. The AWEA Standard has been approved by the Small Wind Certification Council, an independent certification body. Certification means that small wind turbines meet or exceed the requirements of the AWEA Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard.
The Wind Powering America web site contains resources for Small Wind for Homeowners, Ranchers, and Small Businesses, including Small Wind Electric Systems Consumer's Guides, events, webinars, news, publications, and web resources. Wind Powering America is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program that leads the nation's efforts to improve the performance, lower the costs, and accelerate the deployment of wind and water power technologies.
Visit the Wind Powering America web site.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory operates a Small Wind Turbine Research program. Their work includes independent testing, regional test centers, turbine development, and field verification.
Visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory web site.
The Office of Energy at the Minnesota Department of Commerce is working to move Minnesota toward a sustainable energy future, managing energy assistance funds, advocating in the public interest on energy utility rates and facility siting. We provide information and assistance to residents, builders, utilities, non-profits and policy-makers on home improvements, financial assistance, renewable technologies including wind energy information, policy initiatives, and utility regulations.
Click on the pdf link below to download "In the Public Interest: How and Why to Permit for Small Wind Systems" published by AWEA in September 2008. The Guide for State and Local Governments includes discussion of various issues to consider, as well as "red herrings", best practices and a model ordinance.
This June/July 2007 article in Mother Earth News covers the basics of community wind and talks about the challenges to community wind in the U.S.
Click here to read the article on the Mother Earth News website.
This presentation from the U.S. Dept. of Energy goes through the importance of tower height in small wind energy.
Download a PDF version of this presentation from the USDoE website.
This April 2008 report from the New Rules Project discusses how simple changes to the federal production tax credit (PTC) and SEC registration process for cooperatives could significantly reduce barriers to community ownership of wind.
Download the report from the New Rules website here: http://www.newrules.org/de/ptc-wind-ownership.pdf
Steven Lenard
200 Sterling Place, Apt. 1d
Brooklyn, NY 11238
917-846-2374
slenard@GreenHomeNYC.org
www.greenhomenyc.org
