PROGRAM INFORMATION

On-Line Application Procedures

Before applying for anemometer lease through the ALP, make sure you take the following steps:

1. Understand the timing involved with the program. An ALP anemometer lease will tell you exactly that your wind resource potential will be at your site, but it will take a year from the installation of the anemometer tower to determine that potential. Given that the demand for anemometers greatly exceeds the available towers, it may be several years before a tower may be sited at your location.
2. Understand that installing wind power may not be the best solution at every site. Several factors must be considered: the wind resource, your finances and comfort level with the estimated economics of the project, your energy consumption, and details on the siting, installation, and maintenance of any proposed wind energy system. If you are in a site with little wind energy potential, you'll still be able to install a wind turbine at your site but it likely will not generate the amount of energy that will pay for a system in a short time frame and you may be disappointed that the turbine does not generate all of the time. From an engineering perspective alone, small wind turbines are probably best suited in Class 2 or Class 3 winds or better.
3. Review the Colorado wind resource map to determine the likely wind resource at your site. If you are in a Class 3 or better site, your wind resource is likely going to be good enough to install a small scale wind system. You may wish to consider moving on to the next steps of siting, purchasing, and installing a wind turbine. If you are in a Class 1 wind, you may wish to consider that wind energy may not be appropriate at your site and perhaps another alternative (such as solar thermal or photovoltaics) may be more appropriate.
4. Check to see if there have previous ALP sites near you. Perhaps the data from a nearby site can be used at your site, thereby allowing you to consider moving on to the next steps of siting, purchasing, and installing a wind turbine.
5. Review the "Small Wind Electric Systems: A Colorado Consumer's Guide" available from the DOE Wind Powering America site or download a copy of the guide here.
6. Review the Small Wind Applications Guide Video here to understand the steps associated with siting and installing wind energy projects.
7. Review the guidance on the ideal sites and consider if your site is close to an ideal site.
8. Review the guidance on lessee responsibilities and make sure you are comfortable with the responsibilities, particularly the ability to install the anchors. Note that installing anchors is not a trivial exercise - it is likely the hardest part of the installation procedure.
9. Download and review a blank Site Agreement to understand the terms of the anemometer lease and make sure you are comfortable with the terms and conditions of the program.

If you've followed all of the steps above and are interested in applying for the program, proceed to the online application form.

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