Windpower Engineering & Development

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Most recent posts
    • News
    • Featured
  • Resources
    • Digital issues
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
    • Events
  • Videos
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Five tips for picking small wind locations

By Nic Sharpley | February 7, 2014

Nowadays, small wind professionals are either complaining bitterly about the competition from solar or joining happily to the solar ally. Under the pressure of selling more, some people ignored the simple fact that, “A wind turbine needs WIND to work its magic.” A small wind turbine might have been installed in an area where is not enough wind. No wonder we heard that wind turbines do not work.

Wind and solar are not created equal, no matter its cost, incentives, financing options, zoning requirements or complexity. While there are a lot of good places to install solar, small wind turbine installations are more about picking the right location. The stronger the wind, the more power production and the better return on investment for a customer.

Osiris Energy

Strategically picking a wind location ensures optimal energy generation.

There are five major approaches to pick a good wind location. The first approach is to use free online wind maps, such as ones offered by small wind associations, airports or the map companies. You will only get general wind information in the area.

The second approach is to use subscription-based online wind reports. For example, you can generate an Osiris 10 wind report for your customer using New Roots Energy by picking Osiris 10 turbine, inputting tower height and your customer’s address. The wind speed is populated and the power production is calculated based on manufacturer verified power curves.

The third approach is to use a comprehensive online wind analysis services. Wind Analytics claims that a recent study from Energy Trust of Oregon found that Wind Analytics is up to eight times more accurate than other wind mapping solutions. It performs site-specific obstruction analysis, recommends turbine location and tower height for a recommended turbine.

The forth approach is to test the real wind speed at customer property using anemometer over a period of time. Some states may offer anemometer loan program.

The fifth approach is to use consulting services including actual site visits. I enjoyed reading a 23-page Wind Turbine Site Assessment Report developed by CS2 Renewable Energy in Illinois for a school project. There are many of such services available in different states.

From approach one to five, the accuracy of wind report goes up along with the effort and cost. There is no right or wrong approach. It all depends upon your customer’s situation and requirements. However, it is not right to give customers empty promises without going through the exercises of performing wind analysis.

To engage happy customers, get more referrals and build a profitable long-term business, small wind professionals shall pick the right battlefield instead of simply putting blame on solar.

Osiris Energy
www.osirisenergy.com


Filed Under: News, Projects
Tagged With: osirisenergy
 

Comments

  1. VINOD KUMAR VERMA says

    February 9, 2014 at 8:53 am

    The simple approaches given, are indeed proper methods. How do I proceed , if I wish to start a similar set up to provide Consultancy of some such sort of Wind Site locating,, ?

Related Articles Read More >

US government allows Empire Wind offshore project to resume construction
Richardson Electronics to deliver pitch energy modules to TransAlta wind fleets
Equinor halts work on Empire Wind offshore project after federal government order
ARESCA wants input on offshore wind standards

Podcasts

Wind Spotlight: Looking back at a year of Thrive with ZF Wind Power
See More >

Windpower Engineering & Development Digital Edition Archive

Digital Edition

Explore the full archive of digital issues of Windpower Engineering & Development, presented in a high-quality, user-friendly format. Access current and past editions, clip, share, and download valuable content from the industry’s leading wind power engineering resource.

Windpower Engineering & Development
  • Wind Articles
  • Solar Power World
  • Subscribe to Windpower Engineering
  • About Us/Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising

Search Windpower Engineering & Development

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Most recent posts
    • News
    • Featured
  • Resources
    • Digital issues
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
    • Events
  • Videos
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe