Is Wind Energy Right for Your Property?

When people decide to go off-grid, reduce their dependency on the electrical grid, or explore a renewable power source, they may be hesitant to choose wind power. Wind can seem more complicated than solar, and if you do not know what you are looking for, it can be hard to tell if your property would be suitable for wind power or not. Here are some ways you can figure out if your property would be well-suited for wind turbines:

Since wind speed can vary across the country and around the world, it is key to determine the average / mean wind speed at your property. We provide services that let us assess your location and determine what wind speeds are being experienced. Wind turbines need a minimum mean wind speed to turn and generate electricity. 4.5m/sec or about 16km/hr. We use this value to assess if your property would be suitable for wind turbines, specifically the Anorra wind turbines.

The mean wind speed is defined as part of a wind profile. Wind profiles are available from various sources, including the Canada Wind Atlas and the Global Wind Atlas. From the wind profile, the annual energy production (AEP) can be computed based on the wind turbine’s characteristics. The AEP provides the dwelling owner with information on how much electricity a wind turbine can generate annually and seasonally.

Another element to consider is the height of any obstacle within 200 ft of the target turbine tower location. Ideally, the wind turbine should be 15 to 20ft above the highest obstacle, for example, a tree canopy, a barn, or grain silos that is found in the dominant wind direction.

These are some factors to consider when you are considering getting a home wind turbine for your property. If you are ever unsure about your property’s characteristics, just looking at these factors can give you a pretty good idea of whether it will work well for you.