Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of wind system makes sense for me? The appropriate wind system will depend on the location of your land, the size of your parcel, and your own power needs. There are many different potental options. Access the MI Wind Maps button above to learn about wind potential in your part of the state. Some locations lend themselves to utility scale power to be sold into the grid. These are typically close to large transmission lines. Contact the people listed below under "regional contacts" to learn more about fitting wind into your operation.

Where should I put my wind tower? There are many factors to consider in wind tower placement, but here are some siting basics.

How noisy are wind farms? Good question, and a difficult one. Wind plants are very, very quiet compared to other types of industrial facilities, such as manufacturing plants, but most industrial plants are not located in rural or low-density residential areas. In those types of areas, background noise tends to be lower than in urban areas. On the other hand, wind plants are always located where the wind speed is higher than average, and the "background" noise of the wind tends to "mask" any sounds that might be produced by operating wind turbines—especially because the turbines only run when the wind is blowing. The only occasional exception to this general rule occurs when a wind plant is sited in hilly terrain where nearby residences are in dips or hollows downwind that are sheltered from the wind—in such a case, turbine noise may carry further than on flat terrain.

Are there any dangers associated with wind power? Under certain climate conditions wind turbines can experience ice throw. The occurances of avian and bat deaths associated with wind turbines is minisule in comparrison to other non predatorially factors such as buildings and windows.

Is financing available? Financing your wind tower starts with a plan showing how the new installation will pay for itself. You need to identify costs of installation and ongoing maintenance as well as how much electricity will be generated given wind conditions on your site. You need to know whether the electricity can be used within your operation, sold, or some combination of uses. If the electricity will be sold, you need to factor the sales price into the plan. In some cases, federal funds are available to help offset costs of financing, but these require participation by a private lending institution. Private lending institutions will want to see your business plan for the tower. If you are able to self-finance the tower, a business plan is still a prudent investment of time.

For assistance in developing a business plan and learning about financing options, contact the member of the MSU Extension Farm Management team who covers your area. Team members and their regions are listed under "regional contacts" below.

I signed a contract. When can I expect my first payment? It depends on the contract. Many contracts our team has seen recently in Michigan assign "options". The land owner has essentially promised that company the right to build a wind system whenever it sees fit within the next ten years; no payment will be made unless the tower is built. It is important to carefully read contracts before signing. If you have questions about a contract, call or e-mail one of the "regional contacts" at the link on the bottom of this page.

Where I find more about planning and zoning issues related to utility-scale wind systems? The Otsego (Michigan) County Planning Commision produced a white paper on "Land Use and Zoning Issues Related to Site Development for Utility-Scale Wind Turbine Generators."