Site Eligibility Criteria
The
items below are what we use to assess your site while reviewing a Community Wind Project applicant. As you will see, many
different factors must come together for a community wind project to be
successful including a good wind resource, a supportive utility, local
leadership and support, and financial profitability.
Good Wind Resource and Other Site Characteristics
- Wind
resource of Class 3 or above (in Pennsylvania, this is often found at 2,000+ feet in elevation unless you are near Lake Erie)
- Property
size of at least 10 acres, preferably much larger
- Low
environmental risk (migration pathways, bat caves, ecologically sensitive areas and/or
species)
- Large
energy load (for on-site usage) within 500 – 3,000 feet of the project
site
- Proximity
to, and feasibility of interconnection with, transmission or distribution
lines or a substation (for projects selling directly to the grid) of 35kv
– 65kv or above
- Accessibility
of the site (for testing tower installation and eventual turbine
construction)
- Favorability
of ordinances and policies at the county and township or borough level
Strong, Committed Leadership and
Community Support
·
Qualifications
and commitment of the project leader and team or group
·
Potential
for widespread benefit to the local community (annual income, jobs, reduced costs)
·
Electrical
utility acceptance of a wind project on their lines
·
Level
of neighboring property owners’ support and interest
·
Level
of community interest, involvement and support
·
Level
of support of local and organizational leadership (township supervisors, county
planners, Chief Executive Officer, President, etc.)
Ability to Finance a Project
·
Potential
for favorable return on investment for all financial partners
·
Level
of financial well-being and associated ability to access traditional debt and
equity financing
·
Ability
to utilize financial incentives (such as the federal Production Tax Credit,
Accelerated Depreciation benefit and other federal and state grant and loan
programs)