Small Wind 101:An Overview of Small-Scale Wind

Electric Systems

Affordable,

Clean Energy

for Homes, Farms

and Businesses

(www.awea.org)

WHAT ARE SMALL WIND TURBINES

Small Wind Turbines are less than 100kw.

Our 3000 watt Whisper was installed in 1997 and is producing enough power for a small home

(300 KWH/Month)

Some Brands of Wind TurbinesSMALL: Under 100kw

Skystraeam

WhisperAir-X

Ventera

Bergey

Jacobs

Nex-Gen

Why Wind?

• Energy independence

• Save and Make Money

• Reduce vulnerability to volatile utility prices

• Reduce air pollution from fossil electricity sources

How Small Direct Drive Wind Turbines Work

Safety Switch

Power Processing Unit (Inverter)

Cumulative Production Meter

AC Load CenterPictured above is a Skystream 3.7 direct

drive wind turbine

HOW A JACOBS SYSTEM WORKS

WHY JACOBS?

• Proven over 75 years: Oldest Name in USA• Low Cost ($4 / watt) – High Value • USDA comfortable with Jacobs (9007 grant)• Equipment holds value well (50 year life)• Ease of operation and interconnection • Low maintenance - $500 per year average• UL Approved, Documented by Engineers • Power Company acceptance• Locally made in Minnesota• Proven excellent design and components

Here are the steps for you to get a Wind Turbine

STEP 1. Site Plan

a) Hire an expert to visit your site, provide written estimates of resources, itemize costs, options, income and benefits (planning costs $350 -$750).

b) Site plan drawn up, showing set-backs, buildings, well, septic, directions, mock photos of turbine installed. Look into permit requirements, interconnection and inspections.

c) Make a decision about which tower height, monitoring options, work with educational groups, sponsors, USDA grant, etc.

Mock-Up Photo for Permits

Photo before editing

After Editing

Here are the steps for you to get a Wind Turbine

STEP 2. Permit

a) Contact your local power company about entering

a co-generation agreement. They will send you the forms.

b) Hire a consultant to help you complete all permits and save you time with paperwork.

c) You may be eligible for some grant money or low interest loans. Your consultant can help you with this, too.

Here are the steps for you to get a Wind Turbine

STEP 3. Construction

a) The foundation is critical, so hire an

experienced contractor.

b) Follow manufacturers specifications and

process for tower and turbine installation.

c) Hire a licensed electrician to connect your

turbine to your local power company.

STEP 4. Operations & Maintenance

ANNUAL WERC-WIND SERVICE: $500 (plus mileage)

a. Checking/securing all electrical connections.    b. Checking/securing all key bolts, nuts, straps and mechanical connections.    c. Checking all components for signs of damage (abuse, water, oxidation, galvanic action, etc).    d. Climbing towers and inspecting components of tower.    e. Changing the synthetic gear lube in gear box.    f.  Grease the thirteen grease fittings with correct lubricant.   g. Test disc brake system.   h. Conduct standard diagnostic tests on inverter.   i.  Cleaning the leading edge of the blades.

INCOME - BENEFITS

• *Federal Investment Tax Credit = 30% of investment• **MACRS Depreciation = Deduct total cost of turbine

system in 5 years.• USDA 9006 Grant = 25% of investment• Net Metering = What your power Company pays you for

your excess power you generate.• Antenna Lease = Possible $1200 / month• Education Sponsors, 5 yrs = $5,000 ?• Production Tax Credit = $0.015• Green Credits = (Future)

* Federal ITC tax credit passed 2009 - can be taken as a credit or receive cash grant from IRS. ** Depreciation can be taken in several ways, see your tax advisor. Or spread out over a longer period of time, if desired.

Income Streams, Tax Benefits and other Funding Possible for a Small Wind Turbine for Farm or Small Business Use:

 1. Net Metering: Your Power Company must pay you the average retail rate (ARR) for electricity that you sell back to them. In an average wind speed of 13 mph (Class 3 wind), the Jacobs 31-20 will produce about 30,000 kWh per year. With a 10-cent ARR per kWh, you would receive $3000 per year income.

2.     Income Tax Deduction: Called MACRS Depreciation (Maximum Accelerated Cost Reduction Schedule):   A Wind Turbine installation can be rapidly depreciated (deducted from income taxes) within the first 5 years under the Federal MACRS program. The depreciation can also be spread out over a longer period of time if desired (details see tax advisor).

  3.    Tower Antenna Leasing: With the growth of wireless phones, Internet and GPS based technologies, antenna are needed for local customer feeds in certain areas. Once you own a 120’ tower, you can negotiate an arrangement with several suppliers.

Income Streams, Tax Benefits and other Funding Possible for a Small Wind Turbine for Farm or Small Business Use:

  

4.   Tax Exemptions: Small Wind Turbines (and Solar) are exempt from MN Sales Tax. They are also exempt from Property Taxes (a $60,000 system increases the value of your property but will cause no tax increase). See www.dsireusa.org.

 5.    Education, Training, Sponsors: With the current strong interest in Wind Power, more people want to learn about opportunities. Vo-Tech Schools, Colleges, High Schools and other Learning Centers may wish to adopt your turbine (class field trips, conduct training programs, conduct research (monitor hook up your turbine to wind and weather sensors then to their school website). This creates opportunities for businesses to sponsor your project.

 6.   Grants are available from a few sources including your local power company, state or regional foundations, state government or Federal government. A popular grant for a rural small business is the USDA (9007 Renewable Energy Assistance Program), contact us for more information. (www.usda.gov/mn)

JACOBS 31-20 TURBINES ON A 120’ TOWER INSTALL IN ABOUT THREE SOLID WEEKS, INCLUDING EXCAVATION, STEEL, FORMS, CONCRETE, TOWER ASSEMBLY, WIRING, ELECTRICAL AND TOWER TIP UP.

CONCRETE MUST CURE FOR 30 DAYS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.

TOWER IS 120’, BASE IS ABOUT 14’ ON A SIDE, 90’ ft. sq.

Connecting to the Grid

• PURPA requires utilities to connect with and purchase power from small wind systems

• Reduce consumption of utility-supplied electricity

• Utility acts as a big “battery bank”

• Contact individual utility before connecting to its lines

Power Quality Issues• Must synchronize with grid

• Must match utility power’s voltage, frequency and quality

Interconnection Requirements

Safety Issues• Must meet electrical codes

• Must stop supplying power to grid during power outages

LARRY AND CAROL GLASSMAN WIND TURBINE INSTALLED IN OCTOBER 2004.

TAX BENEFITS ARE THE GLASSMANS BIGGEST PAYBACK. THEY SAVED $7500 IN THE FIRST YEAR.

MORE THAN 100 JACOBS TURBINES ARE RUNNING IN MN

Tower Height Matters

Wind speed increases

with height

Small increases in wind speed result in large increases in power

Tall towers often needed for clearance above obstacles (turbulence)

May require a variance or a special use permit

Height or Distance Needed

Potential Obstacles

Legal issues • City, town, or county ordinances restricting height or

requiring minimum setbacks • Building codes and covenants

Environmental Issues

• Neighbors’ concerns (visual impact, noise)

• Potential physical obstacles (growing trees, planned construction)

Objections are less likely in a rural setting

• Spinning blades perceived as useful

• Talk to neighbors before seeking permit

Noise & Visual Impact

Improved designs have made machines much quieter

• Comparable to central AC unit

• Noise levels fall sharply with distance

1 acre is a good rule-of-thumb minimum property size for a small wind installation capable

of powering the whole house

HELP IS NEEDED FOR SMALL WIND TURBINE BUSINESS

  Future Incentive: Federal Production Tax Credit of 1.9 cents per kwh. This is another tax deduction to learn about (currently available only for big wind projects, not yet for small wind), based on your meter reading each year. If you produce 30,000 kWhs, you would receive $570.00 per year credit on your income tax return. See www.dsireusa.org. Please help get this tax credit or some other tax credit for small wind.

   Future Incentive: Green Credits: Carbon Tax is required to be paid by big businesses for air pollution they create. Your wind turbine produces power without pollution, so big businesses can eventually purchase your carbon reduction “credits” to help mitigate their pollution. Current pricing is from 2 to 3 cents per kWh, but no firm markets or laws yet govern this incentive.

For More Information on Zoning Issues...

• Legal and Safety Issues – U.S. DOE Small Wind System Installation Reference Briefwww.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/refbriefs/ja2.html

• AWEA Advice from an Expertwww.awea.org/faq/sagrillo

- Trials and Tribulations

- Keeping Hearings Under Control

- Zoning Obstacles

- Perceptions/Local Concerns

Insurance Requirements

In >20 years, there has never been a

small wind system related liability claim

Add to Homeowners or Business Policy:

Policy ResponsesEight states prohibit utilities from imposing insurance requirements for qualified systems.

Five other states limit required coverage amounts to levels consistent with commercial and residential insurance policies. Minnesota limit is $300,000

POWER PRODUCTION

• Net Metering: Local Power Utilities are required to pay small generators (>40kw) for their excess electricity based on the power companies average retail cooperative energy rates (ARCER).

• “Green Tags” or renewable energy meter credits can be sold to brokers who are buying Carbon Tax exemptions from large corporations.

• Federal Production Credit: A tax credit of 2 cents/kwh is based upon meter readings from wind turbine systems (Cannot be taken with ITC Tax Credit).

For More Information on Interconnection...

US Department of Energy /Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Learn about how wind energy works, what to consider if you want to use wind power at home, and the latest in research and development. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_technologies.html

“Connecting to the Grid” Interstate Renewable Energy Council www.irecusa.org

For More Information on Small Wind Economics...

• Minnesota Commerce Department: Mike Taylor 651 296 6830 www.commerce.state.mn.us

• Wind Resource Atlas of the United Stateshttp://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/

• Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy

www.dsireusa.org

OUR CUSTOMERS• Larry/Carol Glassman

• Morrison County Fair

• Bob Meyerson

• John Persell

• Hunt Utilities Group

• Melody Lane Farm

• Boy’s & Berries Farm

• Prairie Woods ELC

• Brew Farms

• Marshik Dairy

• Harmon Wilts – HG Farm

• John Claussen Farm

• Tom Clemen Farm• Eco-Domes, LLC• Kennedy Elementary School• White Bear Racquet and Swim

Club• Rollie Jacobsen• Neaton Farms• Boys ‘N Berries • Apple Valley School of

Environmental Studies• Glen Jacobsen• Johnson Excavating• Kenco Farms Inc.

Morrison County Fair Jacobs Turbine near Little Falls, MN

Atwater, MN Jacobs Wind Turbine Completed on 1-11-06

Visit the Eco-Domes near Brainerd, MNWERC is a division of the Eco-Domes, LLC © 2005

Our motto is “Conservation Pays!”

We believe that by designing and building long-lasting, efficient buildings that generate their own energy, conserve natural resources and reduce pollution that we are creating a good return on investment that is building a new, more sustainable economy

MISSION

Our WERC includes:

• Designing environmentally responsible buildings

• Consulting/training on energy/water/building technologies

• Wind Turbine sales, construction, management, service

• Energy Audits, Energy Load Calculations, Building HVAC Requirements (Energy 10, RET Screen, Energy +)

• Storm Water Landscaping, Septic Systems, Water Audits, Water Technology Sales

• Construction of Environmentally Responsible Buildings, Solar Electric, Solar Heating, Geothermal, Bio-Fuels, Grey Water Systems, Composting Toilets, Pond Gardening and Native – Permaculture landscaping

HERE’S HOW WE WERC ON SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS

• Environmental Consulting on overall property development • Analyze/plan property for geothermal, wind or solar potentials

• Design buildings for maximum efficiency and natural beauty • Install sustainable technologies with trained, certified installers

• Marketing and sales of environmentally responsible properties

• Train and Certify Installers on several technologies

• Help create new jobs and provide significant economic benefits for the communities and participating stakeholders

• Help find and solicit innovative grant funding from state and federal government agencies, foundations and stakeholder organizations

UFO – Fueled Company Vehicles

We practice what we preach in our own operations.  Most of our vehicles, equipment and machines run on diesel fuels, which are less polluting than gasoline.  In addition, we have added technologies to allow our vehicles to run on bio-fuels such as used fryer oil (UFO Fuel™) from restaurants.

The Eco-Dome Conservation Campus is located near South Long Lake, SE of Brainerd, MN (5 miles East on

Hwy 18 then 5 miles South on CR 23).

Open for Tours M – F, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance Minnesota Governors Green Building Award Minnesota Waste Wise

Awards

WERC is a Division of The Eco-Domes, LLC.Visit our facilities at 9121 CR 23, Brainerd, MN. 218-764-2321