CHAPTER 5
WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS

SECTION:

9-5-1: Definitions

9-5-2: Compliance Required; Scope Of Regulations

9-5-3: Building Permit Application; Accompanying Documents

9-5-4: Insurance Required

9-5-5: Construction And Operation Requirements

9-5-6: Maintenance Of System; Safety Hazard

9-5-1: DEFINITIONS:

The following definitions are used in this chapter, and shall have the meanings shown below:

OVERSPEED CONTROL: A mechanism used to limit the speed of blade rotation to below the design limits of the wind energy conversion system.

SITE: The plot of land where the wind energy conversion system is to be placed. The site could be publicly or privately owned by an individual or a group of individuals controlling single or adjacent properties.

SWEPT AREA: The largest area of the wind energy conversion system which extracts energy from the wind stream. In a conventional propeller type wind energy conversion system, there is a direct relationship between swept area and the rotor diameter.

TOTAL HEIGHT: The height of the tower and the farthest vertical extension of the wind energy conversion system.

WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM (WECS): A machine that converts the kinetic energy in the wind into a usable form (commonly known as a wind turbine or windmill). The wind energy conversion system includes all parts of the system, except the tower and the transmission equipment. (1991 Code § 4-96)

9-5-2: COMPLIANCE REQUIRED; SCOPE OF REGULATIONS:

Before a building permit may be issued, all requirements of this chapter must be met. This chapter covers those wind energy conversion systems whose swept area is one thousand (1,000) square feet or less. For conventional propeller wind energy conversion systems, this would be approximately thirty five feet (35') or less in diameter. (Nonelectrical windmills used for pumping water may be exempted from the remaining provisions of this chapter.) (1991 Code § 4-96)