Energy Resources - Wind Energy
Wind is a clean and plentiful source of energy. According to Windpowering America, wind energy could supply up to 20% of the United State’s electricity requirements by the year 2030. Colorado has the 11th best wind resource in the country, and as of 2009, is 8th in the nation for installed wind capacity.
The most important factor in determining whether a wind turbine is economically viable at your home, farm, or community is the quality of your wind resource.
Here are resources to help you get started:
- Colorado Wind Resource Map
- Wind anemometer loan program – look to see whether someone near you has already measured the wind, or sign up for a free one-year loan of an anemometer.
- Wind energy basics
- Governor’s Energy Office Wind Page
Small Wind (turbines sized to power a home, ranch, or small business)
- Wind Energy for Colorado Home Owners, Farmers and Small Businesses Fact Sheet
- Wind Energy in Colorado - A Guide for Farmers & Ranchers about Producing Energy from Wind (Acrobat Format)
- Colorado Small Wind Consumer’s guide
- Webinars
- Basics of Farm/Residential Small Wind Turbines
- Sizing a Small Wind Turbine to Your Load from Tony Jimenez at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Small Wind Applications Guide Video Learn all the steps you must consider to put up a wind turbine, including your time and associated costs.
Community Scale Wind: (wind projects that are at least partially owned by local landowners and other community members)
Large Scale wind (Wind Farms, leasing):
- Webinars
- Resources on large scale wind from Windpowering America
- Montana State Extension information on leasing your land to wind developers
