Local Codes: As wind power is very new, only a few towns have established clear codes for what is allowed. You will need to consult with a GreenLogic Analyst to determine what is permitted in your area. If no code is established in your area we can advise you on what is likely to be approved and how much effort will be involved.

Wind Potential of the Site: In order to produce power, wind turbines need significant amounts of wind. Long Island is a windy location, however, to gain access to the wind you must either have a very clear site with an open exposure, or you need to place the turbine high up, well above the tree line. If you are on farm land, or exposed waterfront, you are a good candidate. Otherwise you will need a tall pole mount (e.g. 60-120' high) to clear the trees and access the much stronger and steadier winds at those heights. In all cases, higher is better, so we will always seek to put the turbine as high as possible given the local wind codes and restrictions.

Fall Zone of Turbine: At present, many of the towns impose "fall zone" restrictions. These require that if the turbine were to fall over (they are engineered never to fall), that the wind turbine would fall on your property and would not hit any structures. This requirement, which applies to certain towns, creates the biggest limitation on the viability of the site. In general, to meet these requirements, the property must be a good sized property and have a good spot that is clear of structures and set back from property lines. Over time, we expect the towns to reduce these limitations as they realize that these systems will not fall over, and as people become more comfortable with the aesthetics and sound of these turbines.

Building Mounted Turbines: There are new designs for wind turbines that are intended for mounting on the building itself. At present, there has been no long term testing of these systems and no lab data to validate their impact on the structure in terms of output, stability, vibration, and noise levels. GreenLogic only sells proven technologies that have been thorough proper long term testing. Accordingly, GreenLogic does not advocate the use of building mounted wind turbines at this time.

Vertical vs. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines: The traditional design for wind turbines involves horizontal axis turbines. This means that they look like an airplane propeller. These designs are proven over time and plenty of lab and field data exist to support their output and usage characteristics. More recently, new horizontal axis designs have entered the marketplace. These look more like a small radar or weather station and on a vertical axis. The reason for this design is to create compact smaller units that are easier to fit into small mostly residential settings and/or to mount on building parapets. Although these designs show promise, at present they are not well proven and as a result GreenLogic does not advocate their use. Until sufficient data is available to ensure output and long trouble free lives, GreenLogic has elected to stay focused on traditional and proven designs.