Community NON-PROFIT

Non-profits win when they implement community wind power at their own site.

• Lower overhead: You will see your electrical costs drop the second your blades start spinning. These savings allow you to put more money back into your operations and programs.
• Greener economy: Your community-based wind turbine – and each new installation it fosters – will bring high-value engineering and construction jobs to your local community.
• Stable cost of power: You’ll know what your wind-powered electricity will cost for 20 years or more so you can safeguard your operational budget against the volatile and increasing costs of energy.
• The “greening” of non-profits: The communities you serve put a high value on sustainable and environmentally friendly operations, and often look to local non-profits to lead the way.
• Educational opportunities: You can offer information and access to your local schools and help them bring experiential science, math, civic, and environmental lessons to your community’s children. (See “wind-for-schools” for more information about educational offerings.)
• Energy independence: When you produce electricity at your site, you take control of your own energy future.

Learn more about the benefits of wind power here.

When considering which turbine to purchase, non-profits will be thinking about siting considerations as well as economics. Often the chosen solution is not based on one of the issues below, but rather the best fit for each organization’s unique situation. Below are some of the issues that non-profits consider in making a turbine choice, and information on how our Northwind 100 wind turbine can support those needs.

• Load matching: All else being equal, non-profits will want to choose a turbine – or two or three – that can support as much of its electricity needs as possible to gain the greatest benefit from site-based generation. The Northwind 100 will produce enough power to make a real impact on your operational budget. Call for Northwind 100 specifications.
• Proven operation: As with any major capital investment project, you want to know that your wind turbine is not a concept waiting for a test site. The Northwind 100’s proven operation in the harsh conditions of remote Alaskan villages give you comfort and peace of mind that your investment will be with you for the next 20 years or more. See the Northwind 100s installed base (PDF).
• Aesthetic fit: The turbine’s height profile and operational sound levels will be a consideration if it will be located near residential neighborhoods or other community areas. We call the Northwind 100 “community-scale” because it fits well into a community setting, and our advanced technology makes it an extremely quiet machine. More on aesthetics.
• Technology: Not every wind turbine is created equal. A turbine’s technology and design can affect many things including energy capture, maintenance requirements, and sound performance. Because of the Northwind 100’s advanced Permanent Magnet Direct Drive technology, you don’t have to be located in a wind tunnel or implement costly maintenance programs. Instead, you can participate in the wind power revolution and stay focused on what you do best.   
• Upfront cost and lead time: Your financial options (below) will help you determine what type of investment you would like to make in wind power. Most Northwind 100 installations cost approximately $500,000, which for many non-profits is a more attractive option than a multi-million dollar utility-scale turbine installation. See more about the Northwind 100 costs and lead time.

Want to know more about how the Northwind 100 could fit your organizational goals? Contact us today.

At Northern Power Systems, we are committed to helping non-profits engage in environmental stewardship and reduce their energy costs at the same time. We do that by providing a leading edge turbine designed for high performance and low maintenance and surrounding it with supporting products and services that can be tailored to fit any customer’s needs.

Northern Power Systems’ wind power solution set includes:

The Northwind 100 wind turbine:

• Excellent energy capture, even in marginal wind
• Rugged and low maintenance design
• Quiet operation
• Made in the USA

Supporting products:

Our web-based monitoring tools make it easy to track how your Northwind 100 is working for you:

• AdminView: Your personalized owner account will allow you to track energy production and turbine operation – and even set basic operating parameters – from from any computer in the world or right from your office PC.
• PublicView: You can make general performance information available to your community to build awareness and advocacy.

Service and Support:

We are committed to being with you every step of the way through:

• Project planning and development advice
• Technical support for your installation project
• Ongoing maintenance support and advice
• Remote turbine monitoring and support

More about Northern’s products and services

Non-profits just like you are planning their Northwind 100 project to capture the wind and support their operations. When will you be adding your name to our installed base?

• Full list of Northwind 100 case studies
• The Northwind 100 installed base (PDF)

Non-profits often engage in clean, renewable energy projects purely to show responsibility and advance environmental stewardship within their communities. There are, however, a few different options for financing community wind power projects at non-profit facilities. Perhaps one or more will allow you to start your project sooner.

• State grants and incentives: Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and other key states offer attractive incentives for wind energy projects. With the help of these state or utility incentives, you could get a turbine spinning and begin reaping economic rewards in just a few years. Check the DSIRE website. for the latest information on your state’s programs.
• Local fundraising: Your community may want to have a “turbine drive.” Raising funds from individual contributors and local businesses helps to drive early excitement for your project. See “PPA/Private funding” below if you have a possible full-system benefactor who is a tax paying entity.
• PPA providers: There are companies whose business model includes developing and owning wind turbines at a local site and then offering the turbine host a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement). The PPA is usually structured so that turbine hosts get the power produced at the site and pay for it at rates that are more stable and often lower than what is offered by the local utility. This may be an attractive option to a non-profit that wants wind power but does not have the resources to manage a turbine installation project.

We can help you navigate through some of the incentives available to you as a non-profit organization. Contact us today.

Or, for more information on incentives available in your state or at the federal level, check out the DSIRE website.

Learn more about communtiy wind power financing here.

Putting up a wind turbine is much like building a house or small building addition. In general, the steps are as follows:

1. Feasibility
2. Engineering and design
3. Installation
4. Commissioning

The process for many non-profits may involve some additional components, such as:

• Community involvement: There is almost always a public education and review process, any you may want to plan on early community notification and involvement. This helps with community acceptance and provides opportunities for outreach.
• Student involvement: If you partner with a local school, you can involve schoolchildren in the feasibility stage so they can learn about the economics of renewable energy. You can let them review the soil analysis results or siting considerations, stage a viewing of the foundation work, and give them hard hats while the crane is lifting the blades. The educational opportunities are endless, and they don’t have to wait for the turbine to be spinning.

Your wind project is unique to your needs and desires, but you will have a team of contractors and suppliers supporting you, including Northern Power Systems. Whether you are just getting started or are ready to buy a wind turbine, we can help you. Contact us today.

Learn more about wind power step by step here.

• DSIRE website for information on state and federal incentive programs