DELAWARE – DEC Unveils Fresh Renewables Grants
The Delaware Electric Cooperative is offering grants for renewables until the 2012 program budget of $268,979 is exhausted. The 2012 program funds will be allocated primarily to PV projects (70%), followed by geothermal systems (28%) and small wind-energy systems (2%). The PV incentive structure has been revised.

FLORIDA – Utility Offers PV Grants to School
Through the SunSense Schools Program, Progress Energy is offering fully installed PV systems to up to 11 public schools. The application process is competitive, with priority given to schools designated by Progress Energy as Enhanced Hurricane Protection Areas (EHPA)

NEW JERSEY – Out with the Old, in with the New: Solar-Thermal Funds on Tap
The New Jersey Office of Clean Energy WARMAdvantage program offers incentives for residential space heating and water heating systems. Under the current program, solar water heaters which supplement or replace an existing electric water heater are eligible for a $1,200 rebate. However, a recent program update indicates that solar water heating systems that supplement or replace gas water heaters will also be eligible for the incentive beginning February 15, 2012.

NEW HAMPSHIRE – Solar Rebate Program Evolves
The Public Utilities Commission has made several changes to New Hampshire’s Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar rebate program. First, third-party ownership is now explicitly allowed. Second, the PUC clarified that the 100-kW system cap is 100 kW (DC). Third, the PV incentive for new systems was revised from $1/W (AC) to $0.80/W (DC). Fourth, the incentive for solar-thermal systems was raised to $0.12/kbtu/year for systems with up to 15 collectors. Fifth, results from PV Watts, T-Sol and certain other energy production models will be accepted, in addition to RETScreen. These changes have already taken effect.

OHIO – FirstEnergy Invites SREC Proposals
FirstEnergy is now accepting proposals for long-term SREC contracts. Systems must be eligible for PUCO certification and must be interconnected with an electric utility. Applications are due March 9.

PUERTO RICO – Now You See Them, Now You Don’t: Renewables Rebates Vanish
Puerto Rico’s Green Energy Fund provides rebates of up to 60% to homeowners and businesses for PV and small wind. The current application period opened February 1, with more than $4 million. The bad news is that it has already closed! The next round of funding is expected in early July. Interestingly, Puerto Rico’s is the only such program in the United States that requires an application fee.

TEXAS – Houston Takes Green Power Cake
The City of Houston has been crowned the top EPA Green Power Partnership Municipal partner for 2012. Houston has held the number-one position since 2009. As of January 2012, Houston’s green power purchase was 50 MW, or roughly 438 million kWh annually, which accounts for about 35% of annual electricity consumption by city facilities.

WISCONSIN – FOE Rebate Programs Emerge from Hibernation
Focus on Energy has re-opened its energy efficiency rebate programs for 2012, and new programs are also expected to open in April. The renewables rebate programs are delayed, pending the Public Service Commission’s review of eligible technologies. The review process should be complete sometime in the spring.

This month, I took time out to reflect on 2011’s Policyland roller coaster, to celebrate the novel advancements and lament the setbacks. Let’s start with the good news (and luckily, there were plenty of candidates). I found the following regulatory snapshots to be particularly ground-breaking:

1.) Hawaii Interconnection

On November 29, 2011, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission issued an order that significantly improved Hawaii’s interconnection procedures, known as Rule 14H. In addition to other improvements, a unique supplemental review process was incorporated into Rule 14H to allow a generator to avoid more intensive study if the “aggregate capacity per Line Section is below 50% of the Line Section minimum kW load during the period when the proposed generation is available.”  Then, in December, the Hawaii PUC issued another favorable decision that broke further ground in several burgeoning interconnection issues.

Why this matters:  Hawaii has proven its place among the leaders of clean energy policy in the country. This shift away from a hard 15% (of line section peak load) interconnection screen, in favor of a more flexible 50% of minimum load screen has already begun to pique the interest of other states that are experiencing high solar adoption rates.  In other words, this development can allow more solar to safely connect to the grid, in more places.

2.) Delaware

In July of 2011, the Delaware Public Service Commission adopted interconnection standards that apply to all types of distributed generation systems less than 10 MW in capacity that are sited in Delmarva’s service territory.   During the rulemaking procedures, the IREC model was often discussed and many of its “best practice” attributes were implemented. These changes brought Delaware from an F in Freeing the Grid to an A.  Earlier in 2011, the PSC also adopted rules for meter aggregation and community renewables.

Why this matters: High system size limits for interconnection allow non-residential customers (and community groups) to install systems capable of meeting their annual energy needs if they choose to do so.  This results in systems with a lower installed cost per kW and allows these systems to contribute to meeting the state’s RPS goals.

3.) Community Renewables

Despite the myriad potential setbacks, Community Renewables is surging ahead across the country.  For a brief run-down: Colorado has been carefully working its way toward regulations to allow Solar Gardens (not to mention plenty local governments taking up Solar Garden initiatives on their own volition); the Maryland has been working through the regulation process for meter aggregation; California has been working to expand Virtual Net Metering; and Delaware adopted rules for meter aggregation and community renewables.

Why this matters: Because of shading and structural considerations, most residential systems are not ideally suited to host a solar facility. Community rules allow them to invest in an off-site system, expanding the pool of eligible solar owners.

4.) Massachusetts DPU continues to raise the bar for net metering and interconnection

Over the past year, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources has gone to great lengths to improve the process and fairness of distributed generation policies in the state. Early in 2011, the DOER conducted a survey of interconnection customers, which helped inform an extensive distributed generation study of recommendations for improvement. Massachusetts continues to work on these issues through several dockets that address net metering project queue management, net metering of municipal facilities, and interconnection process improvement.

Why this matters: By reaching out to gather opinions and experience of distributed generation customers, we can tell that Massachusetts is actively interested in making real process-related improvements that can help spur growth in the market, while remaining within the mandates of state law.

5.) Interconnection in West Virginia

On June 30, the West Virginia Public Service Commission issued a ruling that significantly improved the state’s net metering rules and interconnection procedures (which were based on IREC’s own model Interconnection Procedures). Notably through this work, the State also joined the elite (but growing) club of states that allow virtual meter aggregation.

Why this matters: This work moved West Virginia’s net metering rules from a D to an A, and from an N/A to a solid B in the 2011 Freeing the Grid publication.  This complete policy overhaul represents real progress, which can have a significant impact in jump-starting a state’s renewable energy economy.

6.) California, a thought leader among states

Obviously, California would be on this list, as it continued to serve as a policy leader in 2011 with several important regulatory actions. Since the beginning of last year, the California Public Utilities Commission has been working to expand Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNM) options in the state. First piloted under the California Solar Initiative for affordable housing complexes, the CPUC has been authorized to expand VNM to the general multi-tenant market.  Within the past year, California has also begun to reform the state’s Interconnection Rule 21, with the creation of a drafting group and multi-stakeholder negotiation process.  Rule 21 has long been a solid set of interconnection procedures but as a result of the growing complexity in the solar market, it’s due for an update.

Why this matters: Even though California has been a national leader for installed solar capacity, the state continues to push forward, proving that policies need to continually evolve with the changing markets, in order to stay relevant. 

7.) Mississippi continues along the path toward net metering and interconnection rules

On January 6, 2011, the Mississippi Public Service Commission issued an order establishing a docket (# 2011- AD-2) to investigate the development and implementation of net metering and interconnection standards. The commission also recently hired consultants to provide recommendations for adopting state-appropriate regulations.

Why this matters: Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and South Dakota are currently the only four U.S. states that have no net metering option. This shows real progress that may also make Mississippi’s neighbors, Alabama and Tennessee, sit up and take notice.

8.) New York investigates kWh crediting

Beginning in late January 2011, the NY PSC initiated a proceeding requiring all utilities in the state to explain how they credit net-metered customers for excess generation that is exported to the grid.  The PSC looked into this issue in order to verify that solar customers are not disadvantaged by the date of their annual reconciliation with the utility, and that utilities are properly calculating customers’ bill credits.

Why this matters: Like the Massachusetts, this work shows a public utility commission that is engaged and interested in understanding and improving the implementation of its distributed generation regulations.

And, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a couple less-than-positive developments to emerge last year:

9.) Virginia SCC approves controversial net metering standby fee

Any residential customer of Dominion Virginia Power who owns and operates net-metered generation systems of 10 – 20 kW can now expect to pay a new monthly standby charge as authorized by state law during the 2011 session of the General Assembly. In December, the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved a standby charge methodology that allows Dominion to recover its transmission and distribution costs.

10.) California’s SDG&E appeals for network use charge

In October 2011, San Diego’s SDG&E utility proposed a new “network use charge” that the utility says is designed to divide operational costs among solar-owning and non-solar-owning customers more equitably. Existing net-metering law prohibits utilities from imposing fees that are exclusive to net-metered customers. Instead, SDG&E would apply the network use charge to all customers, which could have the effect of penalizing net metering customers who use the “network” more frequently.

Why these matter: Obviously these reflect setbacks to the renewable energy community that has long fought for fair and equitable renewable energy policies that appropriately value distributed generation’s benefits to the grid.

So, despite the setbacks, 2011 proved to be another year of growth and policy develop- ment. Here’s to another year of progress that helps advance our clean energy economy! Stay tuned.

Regards,

Laurel Varnado

Application deadlines:

RE/EE Grant Applications and Combination Loan/Grant Applications: March 30, 2012
Guaranteed Loan Only Applications: June 29, 2012
RE Feasibility Study Applications: March 30, 2012

Click here for more information.

Renewable energy advocates and a solar industry trade group filed a joint submission on December 14, 2011 as part of the province of Ontario’s scheduled two-year review of its groundbreaking feed-in tariff (FIT) program.

The 100-page report by the Green Energy Act Alliance and Shine Ontario Association to Minister of Energy Chris Bentley urged the government to stay the course and maintain the integrity of the FIT program while proposing significant changes to details of the program.

Ontario launched a comprehensive feed-in tariff program in the fall of 2009. The first of its kind in North America, the program set feed-in tariffs as the mechanism for procuring new renewable generation from wind turbines, solar panels, hydro-electric plants, and biogas generators. Administered by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the program included a review after two years.

The Green Energy Act Alliance (GEA) was the major public interest organization advocating for a feed-in tariff program in Ontario. The GEA is a who’s who of Canadian environmental groups and renewable energy advocates, including Environmental Defence, the Pembina Institute, World Wildlife Fund, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, and the Community Power Fund among others.

Shine Ontario is a new Ontario trade association representing solar photovoltaic (solar PV) manufacturers, project developers, and installers. The association includes the largest solar PV manufacturer in Ontario, Canadian Solar, whose plant near Guelph is capable of 250 MW of modules per year, and SkyPower a major developer of solar power plants.

The joint submission is unusual because the objectives of renewable energy advocates often differ from those of trade associations. However, the disparate groups and businesses agreed on several key recommendations.

• Raise Ontario’s sights–set annual targets of installations by technology
• Keep integrity of the program: Keep FITs for all technologies, all sizes
• Cut Solar PV tariffs from 11% to 32%
• Introduce annual tariff degression targets for Solar PV
• Introduce new Solar PV “brownfield” tranche
• Add new technologies to the FIT program including solar hot water, ground-source heat pumps, small wind, and energy efficiency
• Make price-setting and grid connection more transparent
• Establish a carve-out for FIT contracts by community and aboriginal groups
• Reduce wind costs by introducing differentiated wind tariffs
• Revise future FIT reviews to allow more time for stakeholder engagement

Significantly, the joint submission urged Ontario’s Minister of Energy Bentley to set annual installation targets for each technology that would result in more than 15,000 MW of new renewables by 2018, including more than 6,000 MW of solar PV and more than 7,000 MW of wind. Under Ontario conditions, this mix of new resources could generate more than 30 TWh, contributing a modest 23% to the province’s supply of electricity.

The report notes that many other jurisdictions have much more aggressive targets for new renewable energy than the proposed program.

As part of the report, proponents commissioned a California consultant, Robert Freehling, to construct a model for estimating the impact of the proposed program on Ontario ratepayers. Freehling calculated that the mid-cost scenario would add about 10% to ratepayers’ cost of electricity through 2018, the midpoint of OPA’s planning horizon.

Ontario is planning to build two new nuclear power plants within the next decade. Freehling calculated that if the new renewable generation offset the construction of the new nuclear plants, there would be little or no additional cost to Ontario ratepayers for the renewable generation.

The solar industry participants in the joint submission provided data on installed costs, annual operating costs (including substantial lease fees for rooftop installations), and their desired return on equity. This data was used to calculate “indicative” tariffs for the different solar PV tranches in the proposed program.

As part of their call for increased transparency in Ontario’s FIT program, the proponents placed their tariff calculations and Freehling’s costing model in the public domain. OPA, the Ministry of Energy, and the public have full access to both models.

Previous tariff calculations were made by OPA using a proprietary discounted cash flow model. The model used in the joint submission adapts the Profitability Index Method developed by Bernard Chabot. The latter method uses fewer key variables than required in a discounted cash flow model, allowing for more transparent rate setting.

Chabot had advised the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association in 2005 for its first report to the Ontario Ministry of Energy for what eventually became the Standard Offer Contract program. Chabot has presented workshops on his methodology for tariff setting across Canada and the US.

Now that both the model for calculating indicative tariffs and the model for estimating program costs are in the public domain, they can be used by proponents of feed-in tariffs elsewhere in North America.

The joint submission also urged that Ontario expand the feed-in tariff program to include solar hot water, ground-source heat pumps, and energy efficiency as recently pioneered in Great Britain.

The report also recommended that Ontario revise the tariffs for wind energy by moving to differentiated tariffs like those used in Germany, France, and Switzerland. Adopting differentiated wind tariffs would have the effect of cutting wind tariffs at windier sites in the province while keeping the base tariff the same as in 2009.

[Disclosure: Paul Gipe participated in the Green Energy Act Alliance's contribution to the joint submission by the GEAA and Shine Ontario Association.]

“This is the first step down the road to meeting sustainable green power initiatives for LSIB. The students will learn about renewable energy and how we can harness power from natural resources” said Chief Rob Edward of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band.

In partnership with TWN Wind Power and FortisBC, the 5kW S-343 Endurance Wind Power turbine is the first installation of its kind in the region.

”I want to congratulate the Lower Similkameen Chief, Council and everyone who worked to make this project a reality.” said Chief Justin George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. TWN Wind Power is a wholly owned company by Tsleil-Waututh.  “We see the wind power business as an entry point into our goals to partner with First Nations communities in Renewable Energy projects.”

The 5kW S-343 turbine sits atop a 120’ tower, which can be lowered for annual maintenance. The project started in late August, 2011, and was completed in mid-October of the same year. The turbine is connected to the electrical grid, and generating electricity for the LSIB Elementary School.

“This is an excellent example of First Nations working together in renewable energy”, said Marc Soulliere, CEO of TWN Wind Power. “We are delighted to have worked on this project. As communities work together, jobs are created and economic opportunities are realized.”

More project pictures can be viewed on their Facebook page.

Video of the project can be viewed at www.youtube.com/twnwindpower

Source: TWN Windpower

Founded in 2010, the Distributed Wind Energy Association works to facilitate the installation of wind energy systems at homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities in order to reduce electric bills, help the environment, and strengthen the economy. The prime objective of DWEA is to turn obstacles into opportunities by working with local municipalities, advocates and community members to create a healthy climate for distributed wind.

In its first year, DWEA’s membership grew to include nearly one hundred active team members and experts from around the industry. The action takes place in six working committees. The Federal and State Policy Committees cover current opportunities on the political landscape, while the Midsize and Installer Committees offer a venue for industry cohorts to discuss barriers and solutions. The Permitting and Zoning Committee works to create material for the industry to move forward against its number one barrier: zoning. And, the Education Committee is committed to creating an online pro-wind library, as well as other opportunities to grow the market.

Progress was made last year, in spite of a federal budget crisis. The DWEA team represented the industry to the Department of Energy, asking for more support in two areas: research and development; and education and outreach. DWEA recognizes that the distributed wind industry desperately needs support to accomplish more in education, and has seen how effective it has been for the solar industry. DWEA talked extensively with the Department of Agriculture about the REAP program and ways to improve it. The DWEA team provided a unified voice to the Fish and Wildlife service to show that there is a clear difference between utility and distributed wind energy and suggested that be reflected in the Agency’s draft wind siting guidelines. DWEA joined the 1603 Coalition to attempt to save the much-needed cash grant and is active on Capitol Hill in promoting the Community Wind Act.

As state legislatures and funding programs find themselves reassessing their distributed wind programs, the member companies of DWEA submitted comments and recommendations to promote efficient and useful initiatives. Through the work of the DWEA State Policy committee, the industry is able to organize their efforts effectively across the country.

At the local level, the industry is challenged by permitting and zoning issues, coupled with a lack of education about distributed wind energy. Experts and small businesses around the country unite under the DWEA banner to come up with solutions to these local issues.

To learn more about Distributed Wind 2012, click here.

Source: Distributed Wind Energy Association

Also present at the high-energy event were Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin and Long Island energy partners, including the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, New York Institute of Technology, Wilke Engineering, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), the Point Lookout and Lido Beach Civic Associations and the Point Lookout-Lido Fire Department.

“I am ‘blown away’ by the potential of renewable energy,” stated Murray. “It’s awe inspiring that we are using renewable wind power to convert natural water into hydrogen gas in order to power pollution-free cars.”

The wind turbine, which is located the township’s Conservation and Waterways Department in Point Lookout, stands 121 feet tall. The “windmill” is capable of generating up to 180 megawatts of power per year. Powered by winds off the Atlantic coast, the turbine will provide an almost continuous source of energy that will facilitate a water-to-hydrogen process. The resulting hydrogen fuel is dispensed from Long Island’s only hydrogen fueling station, located adjacent to the turbine. Ultimately, the hydrogen fuel is utilized to power Toyota fuel-cell vehicles operated by the town, as well as a hydrogen/natural gas bus. The town is negotiating with another major fuel-cell vehicle manufacturer to secure additional cars.

“This wind turbine is a key element of the town’s clean, renewable energy agenda,” said Cullin. “We’re making the planet cleaner for our families and future generations.”

Funding for the wind turbine was drawn from a $4.6-million United States Department of Energy grant secured by the Town of Hempstead. The wind-powered device had a total cost of almost $615,000. Additionally, electrical and marine bulkheading work associated with the project was performed “in-house” by town personnel, and had an estimated private sector value of over $150,000.

The annual energy cost savings associated with the turbine if applied to local private LIPA customers is estimated at approximately $40,000. Actual cost savings to the town will vary from this estimate, based on the fact that the town’s utility rates are variable; the amount of hydrogen fuel used and generated will have to be quantified and gauged against hydrogen fuel prices on the open market. Finally, the “excess energy” generated by the turbine will be turned back to the LIPA grid, resulting in yet-to-be determined reductions in net electrical costs from the utility.

“Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead are true Long Island leaders in advancing the use of solar and wind into Long Island’s energy portfolio,” said Long Island Power Authority Chief Operating Officer Michael D. Hervey. “LIPA was happy to provide technical assistance with this project, and remains committed to working with our residents, local governments, businesses, and community leaders to promote and invest in energy efficiency and renewable technologies through our nationally recognized solar, wind and Efficiency Long Island programs, which help to improve our environment and accelerate the clean energy economy.”

In addition to the wind turbine, U.S. Department of Energy grant funding is being used to finance the construction of a 60K solar field, two solar trackers (solar panels which follow the path of the sun), a solar-powered carport and a geothermal energy project that will address heating and cooling needs at the town’s Conservation and Waterways facility.

“By utilizing the great wind resource in Long Island, the Northern Power 100 wind turbine will help provide real cost savings, emissions reductions and energy security to the Town of Hempstead,” said Brett Pingree, VP of Sales & Marketing for Northern Power Systems. “It makes perfect sense that a forward-thinking municipality would be the one to lead by example as we all plan for our evolving energy future.”

The town has aggressively pursed grant funding for its renewable energy projects, helping to mitigate the impact on taxpayers. This type of proactive approach to funding helps the town to pursue innovative improvements while it has frozen taxes for 2012. Additionally, the town is advancing its goals of helping to demonstrate the benefits of green technologies, educating the public on those benefits, and to further the research and development of such initiatives in the future.

“We love it,” said Addy Quinn of the Lido Beach Civic Association. “It’s another positive step in reducing the carbon footprint and showing us new ways of getting energy.”

“Across the U.S., the Energy Department’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program partners like Hempstead are deploying innovative clean energy products and services and helping families, businesses and governments reduce energy waste,” said Ted Donat, Program Lead for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservative Block Grant Program. “This project can serve as a model for other local governments that want to use renewable energy sources to reduce the need to buy gas and diesel fuel and save money in the process.”

“The answer to clean and renewable energy is ‘blowin’ in the wind,’” concluded Murray. “This wind turbine is creating renewable energy, saving money, conserving natural resources and building an environmentally responsible legacy for our children and our children’s children.”

Source: Town of Hempstead, New York

All training, curriculum and equipment will be offered at no charge to schools selected for the program, made possible through Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant funding.

IIRA Wind Energy Program Coordinator Jolene Willis noted the ILWFS program addresses specific Illinois Learning Standards goals in mathematics, including estimation and measurement, as well as data analysis and probability.

“It also encompasses specific science goals that include inquiry and design; concepts and principles; and science, technology and society,” explained Willis. “Participating teachers will be required to attend the on-site workshop and maintain communication with Illinois Wind for Schools staff, providing evaluation and feedback of the lab activities, curriculum and equipment throughout the 2012-13 school year,” she added.

Matt Aldeman, senior energy analyst for the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University, said the program’s purpose is to engage Illinois teachers and students in energy education, specifically targeting wind energy.

“We hope to educate students about wind energy principles, and position the next generation of career and technical professionals to enter the growing U.S. wind industry. We will also be able to provide technical assistance to Illinois school administrators about renewable energy integration in school facilities,” Aldeman said.

According to Willis and Aldeman, through an application process, three to five middle and/or high schools will be selected as ILWFS partner schools for each school year. The ILWFS program includes on-site training workshops at each partner school for all participating teachers, curricula and lesson plans, equipment for hands-on activities and basic supplies. Continuing professional development units (CPDUs) will also be offered for all teacher-training sessions, which are required to participate in this program.

Willis noted the program will begin with an early summer 2012 teacher workshop held on site at each partner school. Topics of the workshop will include fundamentals of wind energy, principles of wind turbine operation and ideas for integrating wind energy into the existing curriculum. During summer 2012, all participating schools will receive a classroom set of experimental model wind turbines, equipment with which to build and test the model wind turbines, a pack of experimental weather balloons, a model wind tunnel and customized lab activities and a comprehensive wind energy curriculum, she added.

Aldeman said the wind energy curriculum will focus on lesson plans in five distinct areas including: energy and electricity; wind and weather; turbines and engineering; environmental considerations; and economics. In the fall of 2012, the ILWFS staff will install scientific weather instrumentation on the school grounds at each partner school. Teachers and students will then be able to easily access data collected by the weather instrumentation using any Internet connection. Wind energy lessons will be integrated into the existing curriculum at teachers’ discretion throughout the school year, and the program will conclude in spring 2013.

The ILWFS staff is currently working with three schools in a pilot phase: Ridgeview Community Unit School District (CUSD) #19 located in Colfax (IL), Elmwood (IL) CUSD #322 and Fulton County CUSD #3 in Cuba (IL). A weather station has already been installed at each pilot phase location, and curriculum workshops have been provided for teachers, Aldeman added.

“I am so impressed with how it encompasses biology, physics, chemistry and so many other fields,” said Roger Alvey, superintendent at Elmwood CUSD #322 and a former science teacher. “It has relevance to everyday life, and it is hands-on learning.”

Willis said that middle school and high school teachers in Illinois public school districts who are excited to teach project-based learning curriculum and have an interest in cross-curriculum implementation are encouraged to apply by Thursday, March 1. Eligible disciplines include math, science, agriculture, industrial technology, engineering and related subject disciplines.

Applications and guidelines will be available later this month at the Illinois Wind for Schools website at www.ILWFS.org.  Schools selected for the program will be notified by April 2.

Source: Western Illinois University, University Relations

The program is supported by a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant to further wind, and the consequent economic development in the region. It provides Small Wind 101 training sessions, as well as technical and logistical support, including wind resource evaluation, site selection, economic evaluation, turbine selection, and support with permitting.

The bulk purchase will be for machines ranging in size from 2.4 kW to 35kW, including Bergey 10kW, WTIC Jacobs 20kW, and Endurance 35kW wind turbines. Discounted pricing is being negotiated with the manufacturers, and dealers are being vetted and discounts negotiated.

Windustry Program Analyst Dan Turner said that judging from the interest so far, this program will result in a significant step toward installing a base of small wind turbines in the region and creating an entry to further small wind development.

It makes small wind turbines more attractive as investments both to offset electric bills and generate revenue. Industry growth in the area engages a local workforce trained to install and maintain small wind turbines, stimulates supply chain business development, and keeps energy dollars local to maintain and build the rural economy.

For information about the Turbine Bulk Buy Program, contact Jon Hammel at 507-389-8863.

Source: Windustry