Smart Energy Management in Agriculture
Wind Power Resources

The wind is an infinitely renewable source of power, and with the right location and equipment can be harnessed as an excellent energy source. Wind power is a clean source of energy, and wind power systems can last up to 20 years or more, easily paying for themselves in their life cycle. Find out how to jump on the bandwagon of one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world with our collection of resources including information about the wind potential is in your area, how to install a wind power generation system, what the costs are likely to be, as well as what issues you should be aware of.

Organizations & Resources

ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States. They publish a good resouce list of print and web sources related to wind power entitled “Learning More About Wind Powered Electric Systems”

Corky Brittan wrote a piece published in the ATTRA newsletter entitled “The Realities of Wind Energy” that closely examines wind power and gives sensible advice on what to do before installing your own system.

The Union of Concerned Scientists puts out a fact sheet entitled "Farming the Wind: Wind Power and Agriculture" which includes a brief history of wind power in America, present the opportunites and benefits of wind power systems, and information on typical expenses of wind systems.

The American Wind Energy Association is the national trade association for the wind energy industry and promotes wind energy as a clean source of electricity for consumers around the world through educational and legislative efforts. AWEA publishes a document entitled “Small Wind in California” which includes information on wind potential by county.

The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, and they put out an FAQ on net metering. Net metering allows customers with grid tied wind systems to run their meter backwards while generating a power, so they only have to pay for what the y use above and beyond what they generate. It makes battery systems unnecessary and therefore reduces the cost of the system.

The Consumer Energy Center, an online educational project of the California Energy Commision, puts out an FAQ on buying wind power available on their website that answers many common questions.

• HomePower Magazine, a periodical that focuses on home-scale renewable energy and sustainable living solutions, has an extensive Renewable Energy Directory.
• Renewable Energy Access, a leading source of renewable energy news and information, has a searchable industry directory.
• The Source for Renewable Energy is a comprehensive online buyer's guide and business directory to more than 10,000 renewable energy businesses and organizations worldwide.