While some cities and states are busy passing regulations that either restrict or ban wind turbines altogether (North Carolina), the city of Palmdale has taken steps to make wind turbine installation easier. In an effort to tap into one of its most abundant resources, this reasonably sized city in the high desert is allowing large shopping centers and business parks to install small wind turbines in their parking lots to save on electricity costs and to take advantage of an otherwise single-purpose expanse of asphalt.
While the city enjoys abundant sunshine, which it also takes advantage of with several solar power arrays scattered throughout the region, Palmdale, California also has significant sustained winds given the topography of the area and climate. Like cities such as Buffalo, N.Y., and Cleveland that have allowed small wind farms in commercial and business districts, the city of Palmdale’s new statute allows for wind turbines no higher than 60 ft to be erected either as stand alone turbines or, more likely, atop light standards.
The first project, a 17 wind turbine mini-farm, is scheduled to be installed in the parking lot of a Sam’s Club. No details as to how much power the project is expected to produce, but it’s sure to produce more electricity than a bunch of parked cars.
WInd turbine in downtown Cleveland, Ohio
The Good: A local municipality is facilitating wind turbine erection rather than stifling it.
The Bad: Given the abundance of sunny days in Palmdale, solar incentives and system installation in parking lots might be far more cost effective and most-likely produce more energy.
The Bottom-Line: It’s nice to see regional government support for wind power; even though it may not be the most effective renewable energy source for the region.
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