Step 2. Is Wind Right for You?

Issues to consider are:

1. What is the wind resource at your location?

Community-Scale Wind feasibility and design/construction projects must have a minimum estimated wind speed of 13.5 mph (6.0 m/s) or greater at a 70 meter height, above actual ground level. To learn about the wind resource in your community, please visit the state’s Wind Energy Screening Tool or the Community Wind Maps.   The screening tool and the maps are a first step to understanding the estimated wind speed at specific sites.  Please note: The Community Wind Maps estimate wind speeds above effective ground level.  (For example, for a site that is densely covered with 15 meter tall trees the effective ground level would be roughly 2/3 of the tree height or 10 meters above ground.  Thus, the 70 meter map actually gives the wind speed for 80 meters above ground at this location.)  The Wind Energy Screening Tool adjusts these map wind speeds to estimate values at 70 meter height above actual ground level. 

For Feasibility Study applicants, use of the MRET Commonwealth Wind Resource Report generated by the Commonwealth Wind Evaluation and Siting Tool (cwest.cadmusweb.com) is required.  This analytical tool helps to refine the wind speed estimate for particular sites by taking into account the height of surrounding trees, nearby buildings, etc. and estimates the wind speed above actual ground level.  To meet the Minimum Technical Requirements of the solicitation, Feasibility Study applicants must submit an MRET Commonwealth Wind Resource report indicating that the proposed site has a wind speed of at least 6 m/s at a height of 70 meters above actual ground level.

2. Do you have the footprint to construct a wind turbine?
   
   Please consult the Siting Requirements section of the Minimum Technical Requirements for Community Wind Projects document (Attachment C), located here.
   
   
3. Are you OK with the cost and potential payback?

Wind Data from Meteorological Towers in Massachusetts available here. The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust has collected over 50 sets of wind data spread across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.