Small wind turbine installer
While large wind turbine farms remain in the domain of large corporations that can provide the capital costs of land leases, construction, equipment, and ongoing maintenance, small wind turbines are now moving off the premises. rural and in urban/suburban areas. Instead of using towers, wind turbines can be installed on buildings, capturing the wind as it moves across the urban landscape.
Many communities are in the process of reevaluating city ordinances that prohibit these facilities. This is happening one community at a time currently.
Some considerations in favor of allowing small wind power are the potential to pump electricity back into the power grid, as well as saving homeowners money on electricity costs. Arguments against small wind in urban areas range from producing an ‘ugly’ skyline to concerns about structural support and damage if a system collapses. Some citizens are beginning to fight back against initial interpretations of residential zoning ordinances, taking their concerns to the district courts for support, as these ordinances often do not specifically mention wind turbines. Many advocates for small urban wind systems are receiving support from state and national wind associations. This industry is expected to grow considerably in the future as concerns about aging networks and high usage demands grow.
Currently, most installations are done on commercial structures, where structural support concerns are not in play. Sauer Energy has developed a vertical axis turbine with a mounting system designed for the sides of a building, rather than a pole on the roof. Addison, TX, installed ten 8-foot-tall wind turbines on top of a water tower, which supplies enough power to run the tower and street lights along adjacent streets. There is even a classroom at the base of the tower that provides education on wind energy and water distribution.
Given the early stage of the small wind power sector and the small scale of the systems involved, this field is well suited to smaller entrepreneurs looking for a way to get into wind power. The ideal worker in this field needs a strong background in construction, mechanical or electrical systems. The basics of the fixture require knowledge of the structural components of the building, as well as safety, since in many cases he will be working from heights. The services of a master electrician are required for connection and final inspection.
NABCEP conducted its first small wind installer certification test just two years ago. It does not confer a professional license, but it helps consumers distinguish the competition among installers. Currently, the dominant source of training is through the manufacturers for their specific turbines and is often a requirement to be a qualified dealer/installer for the company. Another source of training is through state agencies like the MN Office of Energy Security, Winddustry, which partnered in 2011 with expert wind power installers to create a state-of-the-art curriculum. The initial 17 instructors who participated are now using this information to teach at community and technical colleges across the state.