OED Home > Renewable Energy > Wind Energy > Anemometer Loan Program
Renewable Energy: Wind Energy: Anemometer Loan Program
In order to determine whether or not installing a wind turbine is economically viable for a property, landowners usually assess their wind resources with the use of an anemometer. Anemometers are instruments used to measure wind speed over time.
To help individuals who are interested in installing a wind turbine on their property and to determine wind resources in Utah, the Utah State Energy Program loans individuals with promising sites an anemometer and the necessary equipment needed to measure wind resources on their land.
Anemometer data can help businesses, developers, farmers, ranchers, and homeowners determine if there is enough wind energy at their site to invest in a wind turbine. Each anemometer collects wind-speed data in 10-minute intervals. Such data can also aid wind-farm developers in determining whether an area is suitable for developing a large-scale wind farm. In addition, anemometer data are used to validate wind resource maps of Utah.
All Utah residents and businesses are eligible to apply. Due to limited availability of anemometer towers, however, only the most promising sites are selected. Applications are reviewed once a year, in early March. The State generally loans anemometers for one year. Several factors are taken into consideration when evaluating each proposed site:
- Accessibility
- Favorable Land Use
- Favorable Topography
- Project Purpose or Goal
- Proximity to Past Anemometer Sites
- Transmission and Load
- Wind Speed Predictions Using Wind Resource Maps
Details of these factors can be found on the anemometer loan applications below. If you believe that a successful wind project is feasible on your land, we encourage you to apply.
Anemometer Loan Applications
The Utah Anemometer Loan Program is currently in transition to its new permanent home at Salt Lake Community College. Many exciting changes and additions to the program and web site are forthcoming. To apply for an equipment loan, please click on the appropriate link below and mail the completed application to:
Lee A. Hill
Director, State Energy Sector Partnership
Economic Development and Business Partnerships,
Salt Lake Community College, Miller Campus - MPDC 205E
9750 South 300 West, Sandy, Utah 84070
801-957-5253
You may also call 801-957-5253 or e-mail lee.hill@slcc.edu if you would like an application sent to you.
- 20-meter Tower Application
20-meter towers are appropriate for collecting data for small-scale projects or preliminary data for large-scale projects. There is no installation fee and Utah State Energy Program staff will aid in erecting each tower. - 50-meter Tower Application
50-meter towers are generally used for those studying large-scale projects. Fewer 50-meter towers are available than 20-meters towers; therefore, to be eligible for a 50-meter tower, a site will usually need 20-meter anemometer data that suggest a good wind resource. However, a site without previously collected wind data will be considered if it can be demonstrated that the site has promising wind resources. The applicant is responsible for providing a backhoe for anchor placement and possible other costs.