What is generation? wind turbines are often used for homes and Wind power generation is the conversion of farms far from the nearest utility lines. wind into a form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity. Utility or commercial turbines range in size from 100 kilowatts to several megawatts. The What is a ? very large turbines are often grouped together A turbine is a rotary engine that extracts as a to produce bulk power to the energy from a fluid source and converts it into . The power is transferred another form of energy. The simplest wind through lines. Wind Power turbines have a shaft or drum with two or Regulations three blades attached to the top of a tower. As What are the benefits of installing small the blades move, they impart energy to the wind turbine?

rotor. Early examples of turbines are Using a small wind turbine can help reduce and water wheels. pollution and electrical costs. Deciding to install a wind system is complicated and How do wind turbines make electricity? involves many factors to consider, primarily In simplest terms, wind turbines work the the length of time before the utility bill opposite of a fan. Wind turns the large blades, savings exceeds the system cost. This often spinning the shaft or drum, which is depends on the type of system chosen, wind connected to a generator that makes electricity resource in your area, electric rates, and how usable in a home’s electrical system. you use the system. Generally speaking, wind turbines are most practical for areas with an How is this power used? average wind speed of at least 9-10 miles per Wind energy is used for simple residential hour. purposes or commercial utility use. For most residential use, wind power is combined with Does the County regulate wind power traditional electricity from your local utility generating towers and/or facilities? company. Single small turbines below 100 Yes. The County regulates these as either a kilowatts are used for homes, usually along private power generating system or a with diesel generators, batteries or solar-power commercial utility facility. Regulations for systems. These systems can be used along both are based on location. Regulations for wind power with your electrical system (called grid- generation connected) or as a stand-alone system that is Private power generating systems. This not connected to the utility grid. The small includes small single tower wind turbines or Marion County Planning Division grid-connected turbines are often used by windmills. In rural areas of the County, 5155 Silverton Rd. NE, Salem OR 97305 homeowners for lighting, appliances and private wind power generating towers are (503) 588-5038 Fax (503) 589-3284 electric heat. If the turbine cannot provide permitted as an accessory use to a farm or email: [email protected] sufficient power, the utility makes up the residence in any zone , subject to certain difference. When the turbine produces more standards. These include entering into a “net electricity than needed, the excess is “given” metering agreement”, setbacks from adjacent to the local utility company. The stand-alone property lines, color and height restrictions. These standards are listed in County Code 1. meets the required yard setbacks in the Energy Trust of Oregon has information Chapter 17.126, Permitted Uses, Generally , applicable zone, and regarding tax credits and incentives as well as and Chapter 17.113, Lot Area, Yards, and other information on hot to get started at Height Restrictions. 2. is setback from all property lines a http://energytrust.org/residential/incentives/sm distance equal to at least the tower height all-wind/WindSmallScale1/ Specifically, c urrent policy provides that plus the length of one blade at its total power-generating systems with minimal extended height. The State of Oregon Dept. of Energy at generating capacity can be sited in conjunction http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RE with other uses. A wind turbine system is 3. demonstrates that the purpose and design S/tax/wind.shtml has a link to state rules and considered a private energy source as long as of the structure requires a certain height in statutes, residential tax credits, lists of the property owner does not return power for order to function efficiently and limiting qualified wind generators, and links to energy sale to the grid or receive any monetary construction to a certain height would loan and savings programs. compensation or credit from energy produced result in a reduction in production by the turbine, including accumulated excess capability and create a practical difficulty For more information on Marion County electrical power. This is accomplished and hardship. Or, the wind turbine, by its land use regulations contact: through an Electric Agreement design, creates unusual circumstances that Marion County Planning at (503) 588-5038; that requires excess energy to be transferred to do not apply to other structures in the email [email protected] or the the electrical company. In some instances this zone. website at excess energy is donated to low income http://www.co.marion.or.us/PW/Planning/ families. Wind turbine towers must be the Do I need a land use permit for a private default.htm. factory default color. power generating system? Not if you meet the definition of a private Commercial Systems . Wind turbine systems power generating system and the requirements are considered a commercial utility facility outlined above (use of excess energy, color, when power is “returned” or sold to the power setbacks, and height restrictions). However, company in return for monetary you will need building permits from the compensation. Commercial utility facilities Marion County Building Inspection Division. are more heavily restricted and, where allowed, require approval of a Marion County Other wind energy resources: Conditional Use Permit. Utility facilities are For information on building codes and subject to very specific criteria whether in the permits, contact the Marion County Building rural or urban areas. Inspection Division at (503) 588-5147.

Is it possible to get a variance to these Check out the US Dept. of Energy website, standards? Wind Powering America, at Yes. You can submit a Variance application http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_ requesting to vary certain standards. Wind maps.asp for wind resource maps, wind turbine towers may exceed the maximum source potential charts, and links to other height requirements of the zone in which they valuable resources. are located provided the tower: