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Community wind projects are locally-owned,
commercial-scale projects. They must
be less than 10 MW and may consist of
a single turbine or a small group of
turbines. Ownership models also vary.
In some cases, a group of local investors
may own the project. In other cases,
the owner may be the landowner or a government
entity such as a city or a school district.
Energy Trust provides financial incentives to help support the development of community wind projects. In some cases, Energy Trust provides funding to share the cost of feasibility studies for projects. Additionally, Energy Trust funds an Anemometer Loan program (see below). Applications are taken on an ongoing basis.
As of 2007, the Community Wind program will accept proposals and consider funding commitments throughout the year, as resources allow. The process will remain competitive, and superior projects will have the best chance of receiving a funding offer.
The program may be able to assist applicants in applying for other project funding, for instance Federal grants or loan guarantees. Interested project developers should contact Alan Cowan at 503-459-4074.
Energy Trust provides technical assistance and financial incentives but does not develop, sell or install energy systems or equipment. This work is done by independent businesses that are solely responsible for the quality and performance of their installations.
Guidebook
Energy Trust, in collaboration
with NW SEED, has developed Community
Wind: An Oregon Guidebook. This
106-page book introduces the basic
concepts behind community wind development.
It will provide you with enough understanding
of the components of a project to
be able to communicate effectively
with industry experts, project partners,
and community members. It includes
information on assessing a wind resource,
siting, permitting, ownership models,
interconnection, financing, and sources
of financial assistance. Get
a copy.
Anemometer Loan Program
The first step
in providing support for wind systems
is assessing the wind quality at
a proposed site, using wind anemometers
-- measuring devices that provide
valuable data on a site's wind
quality and speed.
Energy Trust of Oregon funds a wind Anemometer
Loan program, administered
by Oregon State University's Energy
Resource Research Laboratory (ERRL).
There are currently 16 anemometers
in use by the program, and they are
available free of charge to landowners
whose sites meet initial screening
characteristics.
For more information,
call us at 1-866-368-7878.
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