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Energy

Wind Power for your School - Go the Extra Mile

Wind power systems come in all different sizes for different applications. Sometimes wind is combined with solar in hybrid PV-wind systems. For more about the applications of wind power, how it works, and the components of a wind turbine, read our Upload Knowledge Section.

Options for your school!
Wind power systems using modern wind turbines are almost exclusively used for the production of electricity. But the exact type of wind system can vary depending on your school’s power demand. They can be vastly different sizes and may be independent of the grid, connected to the grid, or may even be combined with solar power.

~Pros

The DOE reports that wind is one of the cheapest renewable energy technologies available, averaging between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The small price it takes to maintain electricity production from a wind turbine is a reliable investment independent of the volatile fossil fuel market of changing prices.
Modern residential-size wind turbines are not as loud as many people think. They only produce 52 to 55 decibels of noise, which is no louder than a refrigerator, according to the DOE’s Small Wind Consumer Guide.
Wind power produces no air pollution or toxic waste while generating electricity!
A Wind system can give you power security during a grid blackout.

~Cons

It’s major disadvantage, just like geothermal and solar, is its often high initial cost. But wind power, again like geothermal and solar, can usually pay for itself over the life of the system. Furthermore, this initial cost has reduced dramatically in the last 10 years according to the Department of Energy.
Wind doesn’t blow steadily and therefore electricity production isn’t steady. But, that’s where back-up batteries, net-metering, or a hybrid wind system can easily come in to pick up the slack. Furthermore, you should conduct a wind assessment before undertaking a wind project so that you can ensure you’ll average enough wind power to meet your expectations.
For some people it takes an acquired taste to appreciate the site of a wind turbine. Some people just don’t find the sight pleasing to the eye. Others like the way it looks because it reminds them that their school is using clean, renewable energy!

Is wind feasible for your school?
To judge feasibility for installing wind power at your school, you’ll want to consider two major questions.

The first is obvious: is the project going to be economically affordable for your school? In other words, will you be able to afford the initial investment of installation and be able to wait the length of the payback period to start seeing savings?

For more questions about feasibility, read the Department of Energy’s Guide: Should you invest in wind technology?

The second question is if the wind at your school is steady and strong enough to provide you with a desired amount of electricity production? To get a general idea of wind availability, check out the Department of Energy’s Wind Resource Potential Map of the U.S., which will soon offer a closer analysis by region. Also check out the National Climatic Data Center, which provides wind data summaries. If your region seems to have decent wind availability, you’ll want to take the next step and test the exact wind availability at your school at an actual proposed site where you envision a wind turbine would stand. An appropriate wind assessment should take at least a year and is done by a device called an anemometer that is placed on a poll that would be the same height as the top of the proposed wind turbine. The standard testing height the Department of Energy uses is 33 feet. You can find more about the details of how to conduct a successful wind assessment in the NREL’s Wind Resource Assessment Handbook. Financial and/or equipment lending support for wind assessments is available in many states. For example, the Green Energy Ohio allows schools to apply for help with a wind assessment, and accepted schools can borrow the necessary equipment, such as anemometers and are given technical expertise for setting up a successful assessment. See if your state has a program you can apply for by checking the DOE’s clickable map of anemometer loan programs across the country.

Sweet success at other schools!
Check out how these schools in Iowa have turned to wind power to supply most of their electricity needs! And see for yourself what it looks like to have wind turbines on a playground like at this school in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Peruse other K-12 wind installation projects around the country from Windustry™ and even more success stories by the American Wind Energy Association®, which also provides interviews with the role players.

Ready to dive into a project?
Before getting started, read the basic overview website from the Department of Energy or Planning a Small Wind Project from Windustry™. Either one will give you a nice summary of the major concepts involved in a project, such as evaluating a site, sizing the turbine, choosing an installer and other issues such as utility details and insurance.

When you are actually ready to start a wind project no matter the size or scope, this quick two-page guide from Alliant Energy gives you a crucial checklist of the basic steps you’ll have to take. Following a simple outline like this as you go along can make the whole project seem a lot less confusing.

For other basic questions before diving in, check out American Wind Energy Association®’s FAQs

Guides for anyone across the U.S.—
Once you’ve initiated a project, these comprehensive guides and publications are useful anywhere in the United States:

Department of Energy’s Small Wind Consumer Guide covers all the details about tackling a wind project. If you have trouble opening the first version, try this version.
National Wind Coordinating Collaborative has thorough publications covering most concerns involved with wind installation projects.
After you’ve decided on a turbine and know the specific size, this American Wind Energy Assocation® guide focuses on just the installation part of the project.

As you go about your project, you’ll want inform yourself of local codes and regulations that pertain to wind electric systems. These guides can help you with those issues:

General information about code compliance for wind turbines from the American Wind Energy Association®
More specific local codes and requirements from the Department of Energy

For anything else you want to know, read one of expert Mick Sagrillo’s detailed advice columns on the exact topic you need help with!

State-specific guide books and programs—
If you can find a state-specific guide book or program, you’ll have a much easier time progressing with your wind project because net-metering rules, local regulations, and financial incentives vary significantly by state. Try these websites to find local resources for your state:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s clickable map of state-specific wind publications.
State and Regional Wind Organizations from the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative
American Wind Energy Association®’s State-by-State Resources includes state-specific information on net-metering, utility connection issues, local financial incentives, local government contacts, and local non-profits who may be able to help.

Some local resources are organizations that will hold your hand through the process of deciding on and implementing a wind system. For example, New York State’s Power Naturally program offers New York homeowners, businesses, and schools with local incentives, eligible wind installers, and success stories throughout the state.

Resources for finding installer or doing it yourself—
If you’re ready to look for a contractor or another type of wind professional and you can’t find one through the links to local state resources provided above, then check out Windustry™’s searchable database of wind companies, organizations, lawyers, and utilities. You can also browse American Wind Energy Association®’s list of small wind turbine equipment providers to go about purchasing a type and model that suits your needs.

If you or someone else at your school wants to take on installation of the wind turbine, Solar Energy Internationals Workshops offers wind power installation classes where you can learn how to design and install different wind systems through hands-on training.

Where can we find funding?
For any type of wind system you’re considering, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency provides information on grants and financial assistance that may be available for your project.