Wind Energy Services

Wind Maps

The Renewable Energy Center provides a wind map for each county in Pennsylvania.

• Areas covered in Orange (Class 2) may have enough resource for a small wind turbine
• Areas in Blue (Class 3 and above) may have community/commercial wind potential.

If a site appears to have an adequate resource, it is recommended that additional analysis be conducted before pursuing a project.

Browse our collection of SFU REC Wind Maps for more information.

Wind Resource Reports

The lift on the electricity cap has left farmers and rural small businesses with rapid increases in electricity costs. Wind turbines in areas with good resource will help to reduce that cost, increase revenue streams, and lower overhead.

Identification of a site’s wind resource is critical in determining feasibility of a potential wind project. The REC will use their systems and data to prepare wind resource assessment reports for your specific site with detailed information. Those with sufficient wind resources will be provided with information on choosing reputable wind installers. Those without sufficient wind resource will be advised on other possible renewable energy sources to utilize.

Anemometer Loan Program

The Renewable Energy Center runs Pennsylvania’s anemometer loan program. This wind assessment service allows landowners to learn if their site has commercial wind potential. If our pre-feasibility analysis indicates that there is commercial wind potential at the site we will measure the resource for a minimum of 12 months, analyze the data, extrapolate the data to different heights, and report the amount of power that would have been generated over that period with a variety of wind turbines.  Learn about current pricing and equipment availability by contacting REC staff. 

Get started

1. Contact us at renewable@francis.edu or 814-472-2872 - REC provides a preliminary wind analysis and environmental review.  
2. Fill out a Community Wind Project Application - Upon receipt the REC will set up a site visit.
3. Secure Permitting and Approvals - If required, submit building and environmental permits to your local township offices for the installation of the meteorological tower.
4. Community Meeting - REC provides a public presentation and facilitates an open discussion.
5. Participation Agreement - You and REC sign an agreement and you provide the agreed upon payment for the analysis.
6. Meteorological Tower Installation - REC installs the met tower and performs data collection and analysis. REC sends you monthly reports
7. Decide Whether to Install a Turbine - The Renewable Energy Center will provide energy estimates for different turbines at different heights. With our community wind investment analysis tool we can assist you in deciding whether or not to install a turbine.

Data Collected

There has been an incredible amount of interest in the Community Wind Project since its establishment by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in 2005. We've received over 600 applications from nearly every county in Pennsylvania. We have had 12 wind assessment projects in 7 counties and  11 sites with a full 12 months of data.  See the map and data below.  Interested in more details about a site or the raw data?  Please contact us. 

Community Wind

Community wind is large-scale wind power typically owned by public or private entities for on-site usage or sale to the grid (net-metering). Projects can consist of one to several turbines and produce 100 kilowatts – 10 megawatts (enough power for 10 – 2,500 homes respectively). The key feature of community wind is local ownership which maximizes local benefit. Project costs are typically $300,000 - $3 million plus dollars and can take 5 – 7 years to put together. The long-term benefits to the community, measured in energy security, increased revenue, and solidarity, however, last a lot longer.