A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL (dBA): A measurement of sound pressure level, which has been filtered or weighted to progressively deemphasize the importance of frequency components below one thousand (1,000) Hz and above five thousand (5,000) Hz. This reflects the fact that human hearing is less sensitive at low frequencies and at extremely high frequencies, relative to the midrange of the frequency spectrum. This area of sensitivity also corresponds to the human speech band.
DECIBEL (dB): The measurement of a sound pressure relative to the logarithmic conversion of the sound pressure reference level often set as zero dB (A-weighted). In general, this means the quietest sound we can hear is near zero dB (A-weighted) and the loudest we can hear without pain is near one hundred twenty (120) dB (A-weighted).
FAA: The federal aviation administration of the United States department of transportation.
GUY CABLE: Any cable or wire that extends from a small wind energy system for the purpose of supporting the system structure.
METEOROLOGICAL TOWER: A facility consisting of a tower and related wind measuring devices, which is used solely to measure winds preliminary to construction of a small wind energy conversion system. Meteorological towers shall not be allowed for time periods in excess of twelve (12) months, and shall be removed prior to the installation of the wind energy conversion system for which they are measuring. A request to install a meteorological tower shall be included in the application to install either a micro wind system or a small wind energy conversion system.
MICRO WIND SYSTEM: A building mounted wind system (either a vertical or horizontal axis turbine) that has a rated nameplate capacity of ten (10) kW or less (3 kW or less for residential properties), and projects no more than fifteen feet (15') above the highest point of the roof. Such building mounted wind systems shall be regulated by applicable building and electrical codes, and shall not be considered a small wind energy conversion system. A micro wind system shall not be considered in determining total building height for zoning or setback purposes. Multiple turbines are permitted, provided the total cumulative rated nameplate capacity does not exceed ten (10) kW (or 3 kW for residential properties).
RATED NAMEPLATE CAPACITY: The maximum rated output of electric power production equipment. This output is typically specified by the manufacturer with a "nameplate" on the equipment.
SMALL WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM: A wind energy conversion system consisting of a tower, a turbine, and associated control or conversion electronics that generates power for an individual property for the purpose of reducing on site energy consumption with a rated nameplate capacity of twenty five (25) kW or less per tower. This includes, but is not limited to, storage, electrical collection and supply equipment, and transformers. Excess electrical power generated, and not presently needed for on site use, may be utilized by the utility company.
TOWER HEIGHT: The total height above finished grade of the fixed portion of the tower, including the wind turbine blades.
TURBINE: The parts of a wind system including the blades, generator, and tail. The definition of a turbine includes both horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT). (Ord. 2012-1, 4-17-2012)