Build Your Own Small Wind Power System

CHAPTER 5Site Assessment: Will Wind Power Work at Your Location?

Everyone knows that you do NOT place a solar panel in the shade, and a similar rule should be obvious for wind turbines. The following should be etched on every wind turbine and displayed conspicuously on every website: “For best results place me 30 feet above and 250 feet away (and avoid contact with migrating birds, bats, and nimbys).”

—KEVIN SHEA

Overview

• Two basic requirements for a good wind generator site:Good ______________ and low ________________

• The energy available in a wind stream is proportional to ________________.

• Wind potential is somewhat _____________.

• The tower should be _________________ higher than any barrier within a _________________ radius.

• _____________will ...