Project Development/Planning

State Wind Resource Maps

This web page from the Wind Powering America program provides links to wind resource maps for nearly every state.

The FAA has a very nice long range radar tool where you can enter the latitude and longitude of any point in the U.S. and find out if development in that area will significantly impact radar operations. Check out your site today!

Virtual Tour of a Wind Farm

MidAmerican Energy offers a virtual video tour of a wind farm on their website. You can tour various stages and elements of wind energy development from wind resource assessment to installation to interconnection. Enjoy the tour!

Small Wind Toolbox

Renew Wisconsin's Small Wind Toolbox is an excellent database of small wind turbine technical articles and forms for installing turbines in Wisconsin. It also includes a practical handbook that walks you through the steps of installing a small wind turbine.

Focus on Energy

Wisconsin's Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. It is a partnership of organizations that offers information, resources, and incentives to help implement projects.

Small Wind Electric Systems: A US Consumer's Guide

Small Wind Electric Systems: A US Consumer's Guide
2005: US Department of Energy. (Small Wind Handbooks are also available for many individual states.)

Community Wind Power Ownership Schemes in Eurpoe and their Relevance to the United States

This report was written by Mark Bolinger of the Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory and published in March 2004. Find it online on the Laboratory website.

Community Wind Financing Handbook

This guidebook was created by Charles Kubert for the Environmental Law and Policy Center in 2004. It talks about business models, sources of equity, grant and loan programs, incentives, and power purchase agreements for community wind projects. You'll find it online on the ELPC website.

Community Wind: An Oregon Guidebook

The Oregon Energy Trust, in collaboration with NW SEED, developed a Community Wind guidebook in 2006. This 106-page book introduces the basic concepts behind community wind development and is available on the Energy Trust of Oregon web site.

Due Diligence

Do your homework! Due diligence means that you have looked at a particular investment from as many angles as possible to best understand the risks, rewards, and opportunity costs. Lenders, investors, contractors, and equipment suppliers will be much more willing to work with you if you can demonstrate that you know the lingo and understand the industry.