About the Newly Formed ASES Small Wind Division

by Trudy Forsyth, acting Chair, ASES Small Wind Division

The U.S. small wind industry is delighted to participate in the development of a Small Wind Technology Division within ASES. We recognize that while the American Wind Energy Association is the trade association for large and small wind energy companies, collaboration with the renewable energy (RE) advocates who belong to ASES will allow us to address common market and policy issues.

We are following the strategy of the photovoltaic industry by working with Pete Sheehan in a NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) task analysis for small wind turbine installers. For four years we have worked with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council to facilitate and communicate about small-wind issues for state stakeholders. We found that from a state’s perspective, many of the consumer issues are similar, whether the technology is wind, solar hot water or another RE system. By being part of ASES, with its focus on all RE technologies, we can work to develop mutually beneficial strategies and tools such as FindSolar.com, an online tool that links consumers with solar/RE professionals.

Other market issues are unique to the small-wind industry, including zoning/permitting requirements for towers higher than 35 feet, the formation of a Small Wind Certification Corporation (SWCC) to evaluate small-wind turbines based on test results, and the development of testing organizations to meet the needs of the SWCC for its wind turbine-evaluation process. These issues, among others, will be addressed through the Small Wind Technology Division, and we encourage those with an interest to join ASES and its new division. Together we can advance the important ASES mission — to expand the adoption and use of all renewable technologies.

Trudy can be reached at smwind@ases.org.