Below are some basic answers to frequently asked questions about leasing your property for a wind farm. 

How do I know if a wind farm is right for my property?
How will a wind farm impact my property?
Do wind turbines shed ice?

Q: How do I know if a wind farm is right for my property?
A: First Wind identifies sites that we believe may be suitable for development and make initial assessments of potential sites based on a number of criteria, including topography; wind resource suitability; constructability; access to transmission networks; site size; land ownership; and environmental, zoning and other local and state laws and regulations, including state-sponsored RPS programs.

Q: How will a wind farm impact my property?
A: Wind is a renewable energy source. A wind farm produces no emissions and operates with zero fuel costs. Furthermore, First Wind’s farms typically won’t interfere with the current use of your land so you can continue farming, grazing, logging, or simply enjoying nature.

Q: Do wind turbines shed ice?
A: Wind turbines shut down during icing events due to either imbalance detection or the control anemometer icing (the control anemometer tells the turbine how fast the wind is moving). Any ice buildup tends to shed while the turbine is at rest or while it is starting up (that is, moving at slower than operational speed). Due to this, and the fact that the ice sheds in thin, non-aerodynamic pieces that break apart as they fall, current turbine setbacks from roads and residences are sufficient to protect the public from ice shed.

To date, there has not been any insurance claim for injury due to ice shed from wind turbines.