In these days of increasing environmental awareness and rising energy prices many people are asking the question:

Is a Small Wind Energy System in Oklahoma Right for Me?

At Sunrise Alternative Energy, we specialize in residential wind systems.  We are a dealer for several different brands of small wind turbines. We can design and install a system tailor-made for either grid connected or off grid applications.

Oklahoma can be quite windy and there are many prime locations that are ideal for capturing the wind and turning it into free electricity.  According to the U.S. Census, more than 17 million homes in America are located on land that is appropriate for a small wind system, and many of them are in Oklahoma. So, if you are ready to harvest the wind that “comes sweeping down the plains,” then check out these initial requirements.

There are four important factors to consider for residential wind in Oklahoma:

1. DO I HAVE A GOOD SITE? Siting a wind generator is extremely important to the performance of the machine. It is the difference between a machine that gives you lots of energy and a garden sculpture. The ideal location for a wind turbine is 30 feet above any surrounding object within a 300 foot radius. The reason for this is because the air is more turbulent closer to the ground and diminishes with height. A wind turbine must be above the ground and other objects to harvest smooth air. This generally means your property should be at least one acre in size.

2. DO I HAVE THE RIGHT WIND RESOURCE? Wind is the “fuel” for your wind generator. You should have at least a 9 MPH average wind speed at your location. Wind maps are available here from the U.S.Department of Energy that will give you a good idea of the wind resource at your house. Check out these maps and see if you have the right wind resource. You should live in a “Class One” or better site.

If you cannot find your wind resource on the map, here are some other options:
• Contact your closest weather station, TV or radio station. Wind patterns can change over short distances. We don’t recommend airports as they are generally located in places with the lowest potential wind.
• If you have trees in your area, use the Griggs-Putnam Energy Index to assess your wind resource.  This looks at a tree and how the wind changes its shape.
If you still don’t know the wind resource, contact our offices and we can help you with a wind resource assessment.

3. WHAT ARE MY LOCAL LAWS? The next step is to determine if you have any local laws from a Home Owner’s Association or City or County that prohibit or restrict the use of towers.
• If you have a Home Owner’s Association read the guidelines relating to towers or tall structures.
• Contact your local County Planning and Zoning authority and ask about the use of towers and tall structures. Remember, the tower must be 30 feet above any surrounding object, if it is not, then performance will be lower.

4. WHAT INCENTIVES AND PROGRAMS DOES MY UTILITY OFFER? By law, your local utility company must purchase any excess electricity your wind turbine produces. There utilities that encourage the use of wind systems and discourage it. Locate your electric bill and then find the number for customer service. Ask them for a copy of the policy relating to “connecting a renewable energy system to the electrical grid”.

If you meet these requirements then you are probably a good candidate for a wind turbine. If you would like more information on residential wind turbines feel free to contact us. For some really great answers regarding wind turbines, check out Bergey Windpower’s Wind Energy School articles.