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Wind Turbine Site Assessment

While the wind is free, it is often unsteady and unpredictable. North Carolina’s wind resources are mainly located along the coastal regions and ridge lines in the mountain regions. Most wind turbine generators start producing electric power with wind speeds of approximately 8 MPH although not sufficient to produce much power. Full power is achieved at wind speeds of 18-23 MPH. Extreme, powerful wind gusts during storms including lightning strikes can damage the mechanical equipment and cause rotor blades to fail.

As an example of wind turbine performance, a Whisper 500 wind turbine speed versus power curve and power production graphs are shown below.

Performance Graph

North Carolina wind profile maps can be found at the county level on the Appalachian State University website:
www.wind.appstate.edu/resources/wind-maps-and-resource-assessment

Local Regulations
Check with the local building inspectors and planning staff to make sure you are allowed to put up a tower and wind turbine. Do not forget to talk with your neighbors.

Site Location
Access to “clear” wind will be a tower placing the turbine 20-30 feet above nearby buildings and trees allowing space for the tower guy wires to secure the tower.

Average Wind Speed
After viewing the wind profile maps from the website given verify the average wind speed with an anemometer. The data optimally should be for 12 months.

 

Author: William D. Wright, PE
NABCEP - Certified PV Installer
bwright@powerquestglobal.com

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Waynesville Physical Address

376 Grindstone Road
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 452-2281 or (800) 951-6088
(828) 926-4290 Fax

Lake Toxaway Physical Address

298 Blue Ridge Road
Lake Toxaway, NC 28747
(828) 966-4215
(828) 883-3874 Fax

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©2022 Haywood EMC. All Rights Reserved.

  • About Us
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Board of Directors
    • Management Team
    • Employment
    • Cooperative Principles
      • Cooperative Difference Video
    • Service Territory Map
    • Together We Save
    • News Posts
  • Member Services
    • Application for Electric Service
    • Capital Credits
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate Retirements
      • Outstanding Capital Credits
    • Project HEMC
    • Service Rules & Regulations
    • Staking Department
    • Co-op Connections
    • Rate Schedules
      • EV Rates
      • Time Of Day Rates
    • Safety
      • Storm Preparedness
      • Safety Quiz
    • Billing Information
      • Easy Ways to Pay
      • How To Read Your Bill
      • Delinquent Bill Timeline
    • Forms
      • Service Order Form
      • Medical Condition And Equipment Form
    • HOPE Program
    • Smart Meter Energy Usage Data Privacy/Security Advisory
    • Text Outage Alerts
    • Title VI Statement of Non-discrimination
    • Tree Trimming
  • Products
    • Generlink
    • HomeServe Protection Plans
    • Surge Protection Program
    • Generators
      • Generator Loan
    • Heat Pumps
      • Heat Pump/Weatherization Loan
    • Security Lighting
  • Your Community
    • Bright Ideas Grants
    • The Haywood EMC Podcast
    • Carolina Country Magazine
    • TSE Sports Camp Scholarship
    • News
    • TSE Scholarship
    • Youth Tour Application
  • Energy Efficiency
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Whole House Energy Audit
    • CFL Disposal
    • NC GreenPower
    • Together We Save
    • Home Energy Adventure
    • Energy Star Home Advisor
  • Renewable Energy
    • Renewable Energy Site Assessments
      • Solar Site Assessment
      • Hydro Site Assessment
      • Wind Turbine Site Assessment
    • Renewable Rates
      • RGR Rate
      • RGS Rate
    • Solar with Haywood EMC
      • Certificate Of Completion
      • Typical Components Of A Solar Interconnected System
    • Contracts With Haywood EMC
    • Renewable Energy Information
    • Renewable Energy Sources
    • Interconnection With Haywood EMC
      • Interconnect Application