About Us
Renewable Energy Island
Energy Efficiency
Solar Energy
Wind Energy
Articles and Resources

 
Getting Started
The first step is to have your site checked to be sure it has good wind access. A good rule of thumb is that a wind turbine needs to be a minimum of 30 feet taller (from the bottom of the blade) than anything within 500 feet in order to take advantage of the wind resource. A wind turbine supplier will be needed to: design your system, help with the paperwork, order equipment and arrange for a contractor and electrician to install your system.

Required Paperwork:

  • NStar application for connection to the utility grid and completion form;(this application will be completed and submitted by your installer) * Building Permit application and inspection by Town Wiring Inspector;
  • Massachusetts Technology Collaborative application if you wish to be part of the subsidy program including:
  • approved Building Permit application (this application will be completed and submitted by your installer)
  • a copy of a contract with a wind supplier/designer and an installer with certificates of insurance for the installer and electrician that meet the MTC requirements;
  • drawings of the proposed system; (completed and submitted by your installer)
  • a copy of an electrical bill;
  • a copy of your energy audit if you have had one done OR, a statement that you will have the audit done within the year.

Equipment, Applications, Costs, Requirements

Our 2 island wind suppliers and installers:

Gary Harcourt of Great Rock Windpower (508-693-7414) www.greatrockwindpower.com

South Mountain Co. (508-693-4850) www.somoco.com/what/renewables.html

They both provide complete site analysis, design, permitting, equipment, installation, and maintenance services. Prices can be obtained from them.

Subsidies are available from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's Small Renewables Initiative program which can be reduce the installed cost of a 5 kw turbine by $11- $22,000. See MTC website for current subsidy opportunities. www.masstech.org

A $1,000 MA personal income tax credit is available as well as exemption from MA sales tax for installations on primary residences. Wind turbines are exempt from local property taxes.