July 2008 Small Wind Newsletter

Issue No. 32, June 26, 2008

Welcome to the July 2008 issue of the Small Wind Newsletter. You can receive this newsletter as an e-mail. See details on subscribing at the end of the newsletter.

Larry Sherwood and Jane Pulaski

Editors

NEWS

(1) AWEA Small Wind Global Market Study

The U.S. small wind turbine market grow 14% and deployed 9.7 MW of new capacity in 2007, according to the AWEA Small Wind Turbine Global Market Study, a new AWEA report released in June 2008. The lack of a federal-level small wind incentive has prevented even high growth for this industry. MORE

(2) Dennis Scanlan Wins Small Wind Advocate of the Year

Dennis Scanlin, Professor and Coordinator of the Appropriate Technology Program in the Appalachian State University Department of Technology, received the ‘Small Wind Advocate of the Year’ award from the US Department of Energy Wind Powering America program for his leadership in small-scale wind energy activities in Western North Carolina. MORE

(3) IREC Holds Small Wind State Stakeholder Meeting

During the WindPower 2008 conference, about 60 people attended the 6th Small Wind State Stakeholders Meeting. Included among the participants were representatives of 12 states, the small wind industry, and non-profit organizations. MORE

(4) WISCONSIN Small Wind Conference Report

Over 200 people attended the 4th Annual Small Wind Conference, organized by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. The leading installers and manufacturers attend the conference and it has become the premier small wind industry event each year. MORE

(5) MASSACHUSETTS Report on Small Wind Performance

Through the Small Renewables Initiative, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) has made about one hundred awards to small wind projects, more than thirty of which are now installed and operating. On average, these systems are producing about 30% of what was estimated. Because of this system underperformance and the associated learning, MTC is now considering changes to the Small Renewables Initiative that will help MTC and its future customers identify and pursue small wind projects that maximize social and economic benefits to the Commonwealth and its ratepayers. An updated report will be posted at the MTC site soon. MORE

(6) NREL to Host Meeting on Small Wind Testing

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will host a meeting on small wind testing at the National Wind Technology Center in Boulder, Colorado. The meeting is targeted to people who want to develop small wind test centers in North America and will be held on September 11-12, 2008. Anyone can attend, but attendance is limited to two people per organization. For more information contact Rich Osgood, 303-384-6949.

(7) WISCONSIN’s Lakeshore Technical College to Launch Wind Program

Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland, Wisconsin, will offer a new wind energy program beginning Fall 2008. Career choices for wind energy technology program graduates include wind turbine technician/mechanic/tower climber, installation technician, operation and maintenance technician and wind farm maintenance manager. MORE

(8) CALIFORNIA Small Wind Workshop

On October 29th, the California Wind Energy Collaborative (CWEC) is conducting a Small Wind Energy Workshop to address the issues and hurdles facing small wind energy in California. The workshop will gather information from industry professionals in order to develop a document that outlines the issues and recommends solutions so that small wind can succeed in California. MORE

(9) Upcoming Wind Events

For a full listing of upcoming wind energy events, click here.

INTERCONNECTION AND NET METERING

Check the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.’s Connecting to the Grid web site for the latest interconnection and net metering news.

(10) VERMONT Enacts Group Net Metering

In March, Vermont expanded its net metering legislation including special provisions to allow “group net metering” and net metering for farm-based renewable-energy systems. Net metering is generally available to systems up to 250 kilowatts (kW) in capacity that generate electricity using eligible renewable-energy resources. The Public Service Board has yet to issue regulations to implement the new legislation. MORE

INCENTIVES

New Incentives reported by the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. To access state-by-state incentives and policies that promote wind energy technologies, click here and select “wind (all)” or “wind (residential)‚ from the drop-down menu.

(11) MASSACHUSETTS Suspends Small Wind Rebates

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) has stopped accepting applications for new small wind projects effective June 13. MTC expects to revise their program and release new funding details for future small wind projects shortly. The program suspension follows the release of a report showing poor performance of small wind installations in Massachusetts (see separate article #5).

(12) MAINE Extends Rebates to Wind

In April 2008, the Maine Legislature extended rebates to grid-tied wind energy systems installed after January 1, 2009. The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will establish rebate levels. The PUC also will determine the allotment of funding in each fiscal year for rebates for photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar thermal systems and wind energy systems, with a minimum of 20% of program funding provided to each of the three types of rebates. To qualify, wind-energy systems must be installed by a master electrician or by a factory-trained and approved dealer for the system working under the supervision of a master electrician. MORE

(13) KENTUCKY Renewable Energy Tax Credit

In April 2008, Kentucky enacted legislation establishing a 30% state income tax credit for certain solar, wind and geothermal installations on single or multi-family residences and on commercial property. Wind technologies have a maximum tax credit of $500 if installed on a residential rental unit, and $1,000 for multi-family residential rental units or commercial property. MORE

RESOURCES

(14) CanWEA Releases Purchasing Guides

The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) has just released Small Wind Turbine Purchasing Guide: Off-Grid, Residential, Farm and Small Business Applications, and Wind Turbine Purchasing Tips intended to answer questions like, “is my site appropriate for small wind,” “which turbine is best for my purposes,” “who can help me install my turbine.” MORE

(15) Wind Powering America’s Wind in Schools Program

The Wind for Schools Program, a Wind Powering America Project has released the some new resources for teachers, administrators, students, parents, and communities interested in exploring wind power for their schools. MORE

SMALL WIND IN THE NEWS

These articles from around the U.S. give examples of how small wind is covered today ‚ good or bad.

(16) KANSAS: Wind-power project thrives in Kansas schools

(The Kansas City Star, June 8, 2008, by David Klepper)

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory selected Kansas, Nebraska, Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota and Montana for the Wind for Schools program. Each state then selected three to five school districts a year to receive the turbines. Their primary goal is to introduce students and their parents to renewable energy. The turbines could plant a seed that grows a new crop of engineers and technicians ready to tackle the 21st century’s energy challenges. MORE

(17) MAINE: Saco wind turbine off to a slow start

(Portland Press Herald, March 17, 2008, by Seth Harkness,)

The Town of Saco recently installed its second municipally owned wind turbine, a 50-kW turbine at the local train station. This first turbine (1.8 kW) is installed at the waste treatment facility. MORE

(18) MARYLAND: Home wind turbines approved in Carroll County (The Baltimore Daily Record, May 13, 2008)

Carroll County has become the first jurisdiction in Maryland to allow wind turbines in private yards. County commissioners approved zoning changes allowing the wind energy systems. Towers must be no more than 150 feet tall and no more than two single-tower turbines will be allowed per property. MORE

(19) NEVADA: HOA cannot ‘unreasonably restrict’ use of solar, wind technology (Las Vegas Review – Journal, May 25, 2008)

A homeowner living in a community with a homeowner’s association asks if a wind turbine and solar PV panels are allowed. MORE

(20) NEW JERSEY: Oldmans Township considers wind energy rules

(Today’s Sunbeam, June 10, 2008 by Heather Simione)

After months of discussion and research among the township committee and planning board, an ordinance the first of it’s kind in Oldmans Township has been drawn up to regulate the development of small wind energy systems used to produce electricity. MORE

(21) WEST VIRGINIA: Morgan County Gets Its First Wind Power Generator

(The State Journal, May 9, 2008, by Lauren Hough; posted on RedOrbit on May 26, 2008)

Brothers Mike and Pete McKechnie of Mountain View Builders LLC coordinated the lifting and installation of Morgan County’s first wind generator, a residential version of the appliance that was set at the top of a 107-foot-tall tower. Because net metering was approved for the state of West Virginia last year, any power created by the generator unused by Mike McKechnie can be sent “back to the grid” for energy credits. MORE

ABOUT THE SMALL WIND ENERGY NEWSLETTER

The Small Wind Newsletter is published electronically by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.. The Small Wind Web Site contains news, resources, and links.

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If you have comments or news items, please send them to Larry Sherwood at [email protected].

Disclaimer: The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply IREC’s endorsement or recommendation.

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