One thing wind turbines have going for them is their capacity to withstand freezing temperatures, especially with the latest in blade de-icing technologies. The same doesn’t hold true for solar panels where even a relatively small amount of snow on top of a panel can seriously impact the energy output of a solar system. Panel…
Operating at extremes: tech note on turbine operation in cold climates
It’s no surprise that wind turbines are operating in areas where temperatures tests the machinery to its limits. Turbines are usually designed to operate in a temperature range from –10 to +40°C, but at some installations temperatures can drop to -40°C. To ensure that turbines work well in cold climates, GL Renewables Certification has issued…
Coping with the cold: A report from Finland
This executive summary comes from a cold climate report issued by a Finnish wind authority VTT. Wind turbines in cold climates may experience significant periods in icing events or low temperatures outside the operational limits of standard wind turbines. Apart from lower energy production, which directly influences a wind farm’s economy, there are legal issues,…