Wind Project Development

A wind project site assessor takes wind speed and other measurements to estimate energy production. Photo from NREL

How do you know if your community is an appropriate location for a wind power project, and what rules guide the location and construction of a wind project? Wind power project development involves steps such as:

Site Selection Research

Choosing an appropriate site for a wind turbine or wind farm is critical to a successful project and involves assessing wind speed, site terrain, the local community and environment, and relevant public policies, as well as determining the appropriate wind turbine technology. WINDExchange provides site selection resources and tools to aid the development of responsible wind energy projects.

Economics and Incentives

An essential element of planning any energy project is estimating costs and benefits. WINDExchange provides information related to the economic impacts from wind energy development, including jobs.

Wildlife Impact Assessment

As with all energy projects, wildlife impacts from wind project development vary by location. Learn how pre- and post-development studies, educated siting, and mitigation measures can be used to understand and limit the potential impact of wind development to local wildlife.

Understanding Community Impact

Properly sited wind projects can easily coexist with the local community. WINDExchange provides information to help communities understand the physical impacts of local wind development and answer questions about the technology and noise, shadow flicker, radar, and TV and radio signal interference.