Posted on by Dan Ciolkosz

Should you Install Wind Energy on Your Pennsylvania Farm?

Part 1 – Making the decision

Introduction

Wind turbines are devices that transform the energy in wind into electricity.  In some parts of Pennsylvania, very large wind turbines are visible on ridgetops and high elevations, generating power for use on utility distribution lines.  However, it may also be possible for individual farmers, homeowners, or businesses to install a wind turbine to provide electricity for them to use on site.  This approach is called “distributed wind”, and while it is not common in the Keystone State, there are locations where it could be a useful and cost-effective source of electrical power.  In this article, the main steps for deciding if wind power is a good idea or not, so that readers can more easily assess the potential for installing a wind turbine at their location.

Step 1: Are you interested?

The first thing to decide is whether or not you have an interest in wind power.  For some of us, wind power is an exciting opportunity that we can’t wait to try.  For many of us though, we don’t know enough about it yet to decide what we think.  If you are curious but feel under-informed about distributed wind, it is a good idea to check out one of Penn State Extension’s webinars, workshops, or online articles about wind power.  A good place to start is the article “Wind Energy in Pennsylvania”.

Another invaluable thing to do at this point is to visit other wind turbine owners to gain firsthand experience with what it is like to install and operate a wind energy system.  Check with your extension office to see if there are any workshops or field days scheduled in your area.  If availability of local systems is limited, online videos can often provide at least some familiarity with the realities of distributed wind energy.

Step 2: Is it allowed?

Communities vary widely in terms of their rules about wind power.  Some locations are quite easy for installing a wind turbine, whereas other places may have rules that are so restrictive that wind power is almost impossible to install.  Therefore, the next step in the process is to find out what regulations and restrictions are in effect for your location.

At the state level, Pennsylvania does not regulate permissions for siting wind turbines.  Therefore, permissions for installing a wind turbine rest with local governments – this could involve zoning regulations or other restrictions.  In addition to official rules and regulations, it is valuable to gauge the informal response of one’s neighbors – just because something is not enshrined in law, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be considerate of those around us.

Your local utility provider likely also has regulations and procedures that could impact the viability of wind power.  If you are served by a major (i.e. investor-owned) utility company, they are required by state law to allow you to connect your wind turbine to the electrical system.  However, your turbine must pass certain safety and performance inspections before it can be put into use.  Rural electricity cooperatives are not required by law to allow wind turbines to be connected, and some co-ops may be more or less open to wind power.  It is best to contact them directly to find out what permissions and procedures are required.

Step 3: How well will it work?

Is your specific location sufficiently windy to make a wind turbine worthwhile?  Pennsylvania is not the windiest state, but there are spots that are favorable – especially at higher elevations or places that have a long unobstructed “view” to he west and north (the most common directions from which sustained wind blows).  Maps and online tools are available that give an estimate for locations in Pennsylvania.  Consider trying:

However, online tools and maps don’t always capture the specific local conditions on a given farm or location.  Therefore, the best way to check is to measure it directly, using a wind gauge such as what is available in an outdoor weather station.  One full year of measurements is necessary  to allow you to gain a sense of exactly how much energy is available in the wind at your site.

Step 4: How big should it be?

Choosing the best size for your wind turbine can be a challenging thing to do.  There are several strategies that can be followed:

a. Limit Risk

Choosing a small wind turbine reduces the amount of cost, and therefore, reduces the risk of losing money if it does not perform well.

b. Maximize Performance

Larger wind turbines tend to be more efficient and cost effective in the long run, but they may not be practical for every location.

c. Match loads

Often, owners aim to “zero out” their electricity use by choosing a turbine whose annual electricity production is close to the expected annual energy use of the farm, home, or business.

Step 5: Who can install and maintain it?

Unless you plan to become a wind turbine expert, it is important to find a local provider who is able to install and maintain your turbine throughout its lifespan.  In the past, many turbine projects in Pennsylvania suffered from a lack of maintenance, due to a shortage of qualified personnel.  Therefore, it is important to find out what companies are available in the area and what their track record is for quality installation and care of the equipment.

Step 6: What’s the End of Service Plan?

Wind turbines typically last 10-20 years.  At that point, the equipment will have to be upgraded or removed.  This process should be part of your plans before you even decide whether or not to install a wind turbine.

Step 7: Is its Economic Performance Acceptable?

Once steps 1-5 have been addressed, then it is time to assess whether the performance and economics of the wind turbine are acceptable to you.  Wind installers can provide estimates of economic returns for a project, but their assumptions may or may not fully reflect the conditions at your site.  Online tools such as “WindWatts” (noted above) can also give you an estimate of the returns from a turbine at your site.

Incentives and grants can have a huge impact on the economic returns from a distributed wind system.  It is therefore important to find out how much support can be expected, and what process needs to be followed to obtain those incentives.  The availability of support tends to vary from year to year, but some common sources of wind power support in Pennsylvania include:

  • USDA Rural Energy for America Program – provides Grants and loans for energy projects in rural areas.
  • Federal Tax Credits for Clean Energy – reduce your federal income tax bill by a percentage of the installation cost of the wind turbine.
  • Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Ag Innovation Fund – themes vary from year to year, but can sometimes support wind energy installation.
  • PA Department of Environmental Protection Small Business Advantage Grant – provides financing support for clean energy projects.

Financing a wind energy project can consist of a combination of grants, loans, and “out of pocket” payment for the project.  You should sort out what your ideal financing approach would be, and how you would make it happen.

Step 8: Making the Decision

Once these steps have been followed, you will be in a position to make a “go/no-go” decision about installing a wind turbine.  If your decision is “yes, wind energy looks like a good idea”, then it is time to decide specifically how to move forward with your distributed wind project.  A good starting point is to read Part 2 of this article series, in which the process of getting the project built is discussed.

Conclusions

Wind energy in Pennsylvania can be a good option for some people and some locations.  However, it is important to assess the seven important factors discussed in this article before any decisions are made about committing to a wind energy project.

Contributors: 

  • Daniel Ciolkosz, Penn State Extension

Reviewers: 

  • Maryam Shahri, Penn State Extension
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