Let’s imagine you checked out your wind quality, identified a good wind turbine, and are ready to try one out at your house in San Francisco.  There are still some issues to resolve.

What about the building permits?

The good news is that the City of San Francisco is officially on record supporting the addition of wind power to its collection of traditional power sources and solar.

In an executive directive in August 2008, SF Mayor Gavin Newsome ordered that “the Department of Building Inspection and Planning Department shall expedite permitting and minimize costs for the installation of residential, commercial and municipal wind generation turbines in the City.”

The Planning Department issued initial guidelines for installation of Small Wind Generators (SWGs) in October 2008, indicating that the department would follow regular review procedures and “encourage placement to minimize visibility of the installation from public rights-of-way, and minimize architectural, noise, and other impacts on the surrounding structures and neighborhood character.”

The Planning Department guidelines indicate that most small wind turbines are likely to be exempt from full-scale environmental review.  However, the height will be that already mapped for the subject district with an exemption of ten feet in districts with a height limit of 65 feet and an additional 16 feet in those with a height limit of over 65 feet.

What about the noise?

While horizontal axis turbines can be noisy, especially those that one sees in large wind farms, small wind turbines –especially vertical-axis wind turbines—are quiet, both for the owner and those passing by or living next door.

What about the neighbors?

As with any renovation or construction, the best policy is to explain first what you are doing and answer questions directly. In addition, in districts where public notification is required, standard posting is required, with a 30-day notice. If requested, a hearing might be held.

For more detailed information, consult the San Francisco Urban Wind Power Task Force Report (2009) or contact the Planning Department directly.

An increasing number of specialists can help you identify and install a small residential wind turbine. Small Wind in California is an excellent website to help you learn more about wind and ways to use it.

Lori Katz Group can help you assess a range of alternative and traditional electrical options. Contact us at info@lorikatzgroup.com.

San Francisco is a breezy peninsula city on the edge of a huge ocean, and one of our local assets, the wind, is increasingly mentioned as a source of energy for our homes as well as our municipality. In this blog and the next, we consider the options for residential wind turbines in San Francisco.

How does a wind turbine work?

The technological principles of wind turbines are simple: wind turbines convert the wind’s kinetic energy into sufficient mechanical energy (shaft rotation) to run a generator. Besides the rotor (with blades/scoops), additional components for electrical production include a generator, gearbox, tower or support, electronic controls, and interconnection equipment. The energy generated can be used by the homeowner or redirected to PG&E to reduce your electric bill.

What kind of wind turbine do I need?

The two most important types of wind generators for residential use are HAWTs and VAWTs.

Horizontal-axis wind turbines

Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) utilize a horizontally mounted rotor shaft on top of a tower and have blades resembling propellers.  These are the wind turbines such as one sees in large wind farms, but which are also used in smaller versions in some cities, suburbs, on personal farms and ranches. One can see a small wind turbine on a house at the corner of Alabama and 25th Sts. in San Francisco.

Vertical-axis wind turbines

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have rotor shafts that are oriented vertically and often come in Darrieus (egg-beater) or Savonius (wind scoop) configurations. A VAWT is installed in front of the Randall Museum at 199 Museum Way.

Vertical-axis wind turbines are less likely to injure bats and birds because they are perceived as solid at both low and high speeds, while HAWTs, which resemble propellers, can be invisible at high speeds and result in injury to flying animals.  Thus, the safest wind generators are usually the VAWTs. The City of San Francisco is especially supportive of this type of wind generator.

Do I have enough wind?

Although San Francisco can seem windy, its overall potential for wind electricity is only moderate. The higher the altitude of your turbine and the fewer obstructions between it and the ocean, the better your chance of having a lot of wind. But there are enormous wind variations from neighborhood to neighborhood. In San Francisco, the SF Public Utilities Commission has begun to map the city’s wind.

You can check out the results of this project to see if the prevailing wind blows well near you. You can also find a wind turbine specialist to help you with your estimate. Whirligig is a local wind turbine company that can help with this.

Can I get a tax credit for my wind turbine?

Yes! You can receive a federal tax credit of 30% on your small wind turbine (capacity of 100 kilowatts or less). California also provides tax incentives.

Next Step: Permits and zoning requirements.

We discuss this in our next blog: So you want to have a wind turbine? Part Two.

Lori Katz Group can help you with both your alternative and traditional energy needs. Call for a consultation.