Wind is a form of solar power – sunlight heats the atmosphere and creates air movement. Winds blow unevenly across the earth, due to ground formations, bodies of water, earth rotation, heating and cooling patterns, etc.
At different altitudes, the wind blows at different speeds. Most commercial wind farms take advantage of the steady winds available between 50-100 meters.
There are many different ways to develop wind power.
Small wind (micro-generation). Smaller turbines installed at homes, schools, businesses, farms, and ranches. Small wind can range from 2-40 kilowatts (kW), and up to 100 kW for farm and business needs. The turbine sweep is 10-25 feet, poles are up to 80 feet high, and they need about an acre of land in most cases.
To succeed, small wind needs statewide fair net metering policies that offer fair reimbursement from utilities. That way, customers can hook up to the grid and sell back their power at a fair price.
Municipal Wind. Municipal utilities that install turbines to offset their dependence on other fuel sources or contracts.
Community Wind. Usually smaller arrays (20 MW and less) where community members or entities (schools, farmers’ co-ops, etc.) have a significant financial stake in the venture and get a direct share of its returns.
Utility Wind. These larger, utility scale developments (usually 100 MW and up) are owned by outside investors. Landowners usually receive payments per turbine, and counties receive payments as well.
Note - Cost and Availability of Turbines. Because there is a wind boom going on, turbines for community, municipal, and utility wind can be expensive and hard to find.
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