Recognizing that there are many opportunities to develop small, terrestrial wind projects around the state, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities initiated the New Jersey Small Wind Working Group in 2006. The group identified restrictive local land use codes and ordinances as a major barrier to the deployment of small wind systems at the local level. To overcome this obstacle, the group developed a NJ Small Wind Energy System Ordinance, which is designed to be used as a zoning ordinance. Without sacrificing the efficiency of the system or increasing its cost, this model ordinance facilitates the permitting of small wind energy installations while protecting public health and safety. 

The goal of this action is to encourage the municipality to pass a wind ordinance to promote the installation and operation of small wind energy systems in town. 

Why is it important? 

Wind offers a clean, renewable, and local source of environmentally sustainable energy. By displacing energy from traditional fossil fuel sources, wind energy systems reduce the community carbon footprint. Municipalities can facilitate the spread of small wind technology by updating their zoning codes. Adoption of a wind ordinance is important because traditional land use codes and zoning ordinances pose a barrier to wind system installation.

Small wind systems are suitable for a broad range of locations across New Jersey. Wind power today is more viable than ever with systems that are quieter, more efficient, and less expensive. Installation costs have fallen by about 80% over the last several decades. The number of small wind installations in the U.S. is growing at rates of 14-25% annually. A small turbine can offset the energy used by a medium-sized building. These systems generate up to 100 kW of electricity via turbines mounted on 30- to 140-ft towers and can be used in stand-alone applications or connected to the public energy grid.

Investments in wind turbine installations will be recovered in the long term through savings on energy purchases. A typical 10-kW wind residential installation costs about $40,000 with an expected payback period ranging from 6 to 15 years. Additionally, rebates are available through New Jersey's Renewable Energy Incentive Program to offset the installation costs of small wind systems for homeowners and businesses.