2010 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVICES: WIND ENERGY, SOLAR ENERGY & GEOTHERMAL ENERGY A Resource Guide for Common Questions and Concerns ALTERNATIVE ENERGY TASK FORCE OF LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITIES 8/24/2010 Devon Bank in Wheeling (LEED Gold and going Platinum) Document Approved 8-24-2010 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS ........................................................................................................................ 6 Building Mounted Wind Energy System (BWES) .............................................................................. 6 Small Wind Energy System (SWES)................................................................................................... 6 Large Wind Energy System (LWES)................................................................................................... 7 The Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine .................................................................................................... 8 The Vertical Axis Wind Turbine......................................................................................................... 8 Type of Wind Energy System Support Towers ................................................................................. 9 Monopole Towers..................................................................................................................... 9 Tilt‐Up Towers........................................................................................................................... 9 Lattice Towers........................................................................................................................... 9 Guyed Wire Towers .................................................................................................................. 9 Rooftop Turbines (aka BWES)................................................................................................... 9 TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS................................................................................ 10 Why Wind Energy Systems? ........................................................................................................... 10 How do turbines work?................................................................................................................... 10 What size Wind Energy System do I need? .................................................................................... 10 How Do I Choose the Best Site for My Wind Turbine?................................................................... 11 The Importance of Height & Wind Energy Systems ....................................................................... 12 COST TO CONSTRUCT WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS ................................................................................... 13 Tax Incentives ................................................................................................................................. 14 COMMONLY DISCUSSED CONCERNS .................................................................................................... 15 Abandonment/Decommissioning................................................................................................... 15 Aesthetics........................................................................................................................................ 15 Birds and Bats ................................................................................................................................. 15 Connecting to the Utility Grid......................................................................................................... 16 Electrical Signal Interference .......................................................................................................... 16 Icing ............................................................................................................................................. 16 Lightning Strikes.............................................................................................................................. 17 Potential for Structural or Electrical Failure ................................................................................... 17 Property Values of Surrounding Neighbors.................................................................................... 17 Shadow Flicker ................................................................................................................................ 18 Sound, Frequency, and Vibration ................................................................................................... 18 Stray Voltage................................................................................................................................... 20 Sun Glint.......................................................................................................................................... 20 Turbine’s Lifespan........................................................................................................................... 21 REGULATIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 21 State of Illinois Statutes .................................................................................................................. 21 Certification Requirements............................................................................................................. 21 ADDITIONAL USEFUL FIGURES.............................................................................................................. 22 Figure A ‐ILLINOIS WIND RESOURCE MAP (2010)........................................................................... 22 2 Figure B – INCREASE IN POWER FROM THE WIND......................................................................... 23 Figure C – UNITED STATES WIND POWER CLASSIFICATION MAP................................................... 23 HELPFUL WEBSITE LINKS....................................................................................................................... 24 USEFUL DEFINTIONS ............................................................................................................................. 27 ENVIRONMENTAL SOUND MEASUREMENT WORKSHEET.................................................................... 31 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS ..................................................................................................................... 32 Passive Systems: (Passive and Active Heat and Hot Water Systems) ............................................ 32 Elements of Passive Solar Design............................................................................................ 32 Thermal Systems (Heat & Hot Water) ............................................................................................ 33 Types of Collectors.................................................................................................................. 33 Types of Mounts for Solar Panels* ................................................................................................. 36 Flush Mount............................................................................................................................ 36 Roof‐Ground Mount (also called Universal)........................................................................... 36 Top & Side of Pole Mount....................................................................................................... 36 Flat Plate Panels and Solar Shingles................................................................................................ 37 Solar Shingles: Systems Features........................................................................................... 37 Solar Slates (from Atlantis Energy Systems) ........................................................................... 38 Commonly Discussed Concerns ...................................................................................................... 39 Weather Conditions................................................................................................................ 39 Optimal solar panel placement............................................................................................... 40 Aesthetics................................................................................................................................ 40 Safety Issues............................................................................................................................ 41 Decommissioning and Restoration Issues .............................................................................. 41 Regulations ..................................................................................................................................... 42 Building Code .......................................................................................................................... 42 Municipal Zoning and Architectural Review Codes ................................................................ 43 Informative Websites...................................................................................................................... 44 Legislation and Grants .................................................................................................................... 44 Sources...................................................................................................................................