Community BUSINESS APPLICATIONS

Businesses win when they implement wind power at their own site.

• Lower overhead: See your electrical costs drop the second your blades start spinning. These savings coupled with state or federal incentive programs can offset your capital costs in several years – allowing you to put more of your profits back into your business.
• Tax advantages: Between the federal investment tax credit and grant program and the rules for claiming depreciation on wind turbines, an investment in wind power today translates to real benefits that businesses can take advantage of in the tax years to come.
• Stable cost of power: You’ll know what your wind-powered electricity costs will be for 20 years or more so you can safeguard your operational budget against the volatile and increasing costs of energy.
• The “greening” of business: Even a company that is not environmental in nature is valued by discerning consumers who put a premium on sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices.
• 21st century marketing opportunities: Whether your business has been around for five years or 50, your Northwind 100 will bring high visibility and a renewed sense of interest in your products and services.
• Energy independence: In addition to the products and services you already offer, you can also produce electricity and take control of your own energy future.

Learn more about the benefits of wind power here.

When considering which turbine to purchase, business owners 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 a best fit based on each business’s unique situation. Here are some of the issues that businesses 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, business owners will want to choose a turbine – or 2 or 3 – that can support as much of the operation’s electricity needs as possible for the greatest benefit from site-based generation. The Northwind 100 will produce enough power to make a real bottom-line impact on your operations. 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 gives you comfort and peace of mind that your investment is with you for at least the next 20 years. See the Northwind 100’s installed base (PDF).
• Aesthetic fit: The turbine’s height profile and operational sound levels will be a consideration if its location is near residential neighborhoods or other community areas. We call the Northwind 100 “community-scale” because it fits nicely 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, your business does not have to be located in a wind tunnel, and you don’t have to implement costly maintenance programs. You can participate in the wind power revolution and stay focused on what you do best – running your business.   
• Upfront cost and lead time: Your financial options (see tab 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 businesses 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 fits your business requirements? Contact us today.

At Northern Power Systems, we are committed to helping businesses improve their bottom line with lower, more stable energy costs. 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 customers needs.

Northern Power Systems’ wind power solution set includes:

Northwind 100:

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

Supporting products:

Whether you’re evaluating a capital equipment purchase or showing an interested customer your clean energy solution, you need quick access to your turbine’s performance and energy output. Based on Northern Power Systems’ proprietary SmartView turbine monitoring platform, 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 from any computer in the world – or right from your office PC
• FleetView: Do you have two or more turbines supporting your operations? You can track their performance from one customer-friendly web interface.

Service and support:

As with every community wind application, we are committed to being with you every step of the way. Some of the ways we do this are:

• 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

At Northern Power Systems, we can help you learn more about our products and find out which ones are best for you. Contact us today.

Businesses just like you are putting up a Northwind 100 to capture the wind and support their operations. When will you be adding your name to our installed base?

• Business case study: Hyannis Country Garden
• Full list of Northwind 100 cases studies
• The Northwind 100 installed base (PDF)

Businesses can consider a few different options for financing wind power projects.

• NEW! Federal 30% Investment Tax Credit or Monetized Grant (USA): The federal ITC program was recently enacted in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is applicable to any wind power system sized at 100 kW or less. For projects installed before the end of 2010, you can choose to monetize the ITC for up-front cash to fund your project.
• State grants and incentives (USA): States like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Vermont offer attractive incentives for wind energy projects. Combined with the federal REAP grant, 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.
• NEW! REAP grant for rural businesses (USA): The new Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) can provide up to $125,000 in cash grants for farms, rural small businesses, and rural electric cooperatives. You can combine this grant with state programs, REAP low-interest loans, and even the federal Investment Tax Credit (see above).
• Tax-deductible depreciation (USA): As part of your economic analysis, you will want to take into account that you can depreciate your wind turbine over five years, 50% of which can be taken in the first year.
• 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 the business owner who wants wind power but does not have the time to manage a turbine installation project.

We can help you navigate through some of the incentives available to you as a business. 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 wind power financing here.

Putting up a wind turbine is much like erecting a new building. In general, the steps are as follows:

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

It should be noted that the process for many businesses 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 some early marketing opportunities.

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, the Northern team can help. Contact us today.

Learn more about wind power step by step here.

• Northern’s Wind for Businesses brochure (PDF)
• DSIRE website for more information on state and federal incentive programs
• REAP grant information