FAQs
How much does it cost to install a wind turbine and how much will I save on my annual utility costs?
FireFlower will provide you with a free, no obligation assessment and proposal outlining the cost of the turbine and the cost of electricity. We will work with you to understand your needs, and design a turbine that works for you. The actual costs to you depend upon your needs, available incentives, and how the system is financed and owned.
How much power can it produce?
An average 1.5 MW wind turbine produces around 4,500,000 kWh each year, which usually represents 25% to 35% of the power needs for a mid-sized business, organization or municipality. A wind turbine provided by FireFlower is connected to the grid and any power you do not use goes into the grid.
How long does it take to install a wind turbine?
It can take months to several years to design, permit and install a commercial wind turbine. In some cases, wind data exists for a particular location. However, if data does not exist, a wind study may take up to a year. The permitting process may take several months to a year, and construction takes 6 months if all goes smoothly.
How tall is a wind turbine?
The height of a wind turbine varies based on location, power needs, accessibility to the grid, and local regulations. FireFlower will work with you to determine the appropriate sized wind turbine for your location. Generally, most commercial wind turbines range from 80 to 100 meters in hub height, and have a rotor diameter of 70 to 77 meters.
What is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) ?
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a contract in which a third party developer (”the provider”) owns, operates and maintains a wind turbine, while the host customer (the landowner or long-term tenant), agrees to site the system on his or her property, and purchase the system’s electric output from the provider. This arrangement allows the host customer to buy electricity at a stable cost and avoid the upfront cost of the system with complex design, permitting and performance risks. The provider acquires financial benefits in the form of government incentives and income from the sale of electricity to the host customer.
What are Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s) ?
Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s), also called Renewable Electricity Credits or Tradeable Renewable Certificates (TRC’s), are tradable, non-tangible, energy commodities in the United States that represent 1 megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated by and eligible renewable energy resource. Owners of qualified wind turbines can sell the REC’s on the marketplace as a return on their investment in the system.
How long does a wind turbine last and what are its maintenance requirements?
Today’s commercial wind turbines have a design life of 30 to 50 years. Structural components like the foundation and tower have a longer design life. If you choose a Power Purchase Agreement, any and all maintenance will be the responsibility of the provider.
How much noise does a wind turbine produce?
The noise a wind turbine produces depends upon its design, installation, location, weather conditions, and wind speed. The sound level perceived decreases as one moves away from the source. A single wind turbine operating at full capacity may produce 60 decibels at the base of the turbine, 43 decibels at 1,000 feet and 30 decibels at 5,000 feet away.
For comparison, an average air conditioner can reach 50 decibels. An ordinary household refrigerator operates around 40 decibels. A face-to-face conversation is around 43 decibels and a whisper measures about 30 decibels. In most places, the background noise ranges between 40 and 45 decibels and at 1000 feet away, the turbine noise would be lost in the background noise. A wind turbine installed by FireFlower will not produce low frequency noise or infrasound at 1,000 feet.