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·· INSTALL ··
Small Wind Checklist
A Summary of Basic
Steps for Obtaining a Small Wind Turbine in California¹
1. Contact your county
planning department or permitting agency.
- Find out if small wind energy systems are addressed by local
ordinance and, if so, get a copy of the ordinance. (If not,
see 2 below.)
- Learn the relevant permitting procedures.
- Ask what documents you’ll need. Are you required to
submit plans from a consulting engineer, or will documentation
from the turbine manufacturer or dealer do?
2. Review
the applicable standards and restrictions. In California,
if small wind energy systems are not specifically addressed by
local ordinances in your area, or if local ordinances have not
been brought into compliance with AB 1207, then your small wind
turbine is an allowable use, subject to the provisions of the
California Government Code, Section 65892.13(f), which sets the
following restrictions:
- Minimum parcel size:
One acre; must be outside an “urbanized” area unless
otherwise specified.
- Minimum allowable tower height:
Up to 65 feet must be allowed on parcels 1-5 acres; up to 80
feet must be allowed on parcels of five acres or more. Taller
towers are not prohibited by state law.
- Setback:
No part of the system, including guy wires, may be closer than
30 feet to the property boundary. (The installation must also
comply with fire setbacks established by Section 4290 of the
Public Resources Code.)
- Noise levels:
Must not exceed 60 dB(A) during normal operation, as measured
from the closest neighboring inhabited dwelling.
- Equipment:
Contact the California Energy Commission for a list of certified
small wind turbines² and for recognized
national certification programs.
- Building code compliance:
Standard drawings and an engineering analysis of the tower are
required showing compliance with the Uniform Building Code or
the California Building Standards Code and certification by
a licensed professional engineer. “Wet stamps” are
not required.
- Electric code compliance:
Requires line drawings of system electrical components showing
sufficient detail to determine that installation conforms to
the National Electric Code.
-
Federal Aviation
Administration requirements: Installations close
to airports (within 10,000 to 20,000 feet of runways) may
require prior FAA notification.
- Other siting restrictions:
Small wind energy systems may be subject to local restrictions
adopted pursuant to state legislation establishing coastal areas,
scenic highway corridors, or other specially designated areas.
3. For California gric-connected systems:
- Notify utility: You
may need to show your permitting agency that you have notified
the utility of your intent to install an interconnected wind
generator.
- Reserve an Energy Commission
rebate: Reserve your rebate prior to installation by
submitting a Reservation Request Form and required supporting
documentation to the Energy Commission.³
Once your rebate reservation is accepted, you have up to nine
months to install your (10 kW or smaller) system.
- Interconnection agreement:
The state’s investor-owned utilities (SDG&E, PG&E,
SCE) have simplified, consumer-friendly interconnection agreements.
Utilities are required
to process net metering applications within one month.4
4. Notify your neighbors.
- Counties may not require notice of
an application to install a small wind turbine to property owners
beyond 300 feet from the proposed site.
5. Comply with
permitting requirements.
Permitting requirements, procedures, and fees vary widely among
counties.
- Building permit, use permit, zoning
permit, or “plot plan” fees can range from less
than $100 to $1600.
- Other costs for public notification,
hearings, or environmental impact studies may range from a few
hundred to several thousand dollars.
- If a particular fee seems excessive
or inappropriate for your situation, find out the basis for
the fee. You may be able to avoid it or have it reduced.
- To be eligible for an Energy Commission
rebate, your system must be installed by a licensed California
contractor possessing an active "A," "B,"
"C-10,” or “C-46” (photovoltaic system)
license.
- Obtain a final inspection sign-off prior
to claiming your rebate. Net metering provisions take effect
when the permit is obtained or the wind turbine begins operation.
References
[1] Many permit requirements
are not applicable in certain California counties or outside the
state. For recommended
practices, see Zoning “Do’s & Don’ts.”
[2] www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/equipment.html
[3] www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/forms.html
[4] For more information see: www.awea.org/smallwind/california.html
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