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North American Certification
for Small Wind Turbines
The Problem
Small wind turbines have great potential to serve increasing demands
for distributed generation and can provide a cost-effective solution
for many homes, farms, schools and other end-users. Small wind
technology offers increased security of energy supply as well
as community awareness of clean energy options.
However, several obstacles have hindered greater adoption, including:
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- Performance specifications are not standardized, and
manufacturer reports are optimistic and inconsistent.
- Consumers do not have user-friendly tools to compare
turbines or accurately estimate energy performance.
- Consumers and agencies providing financial incentives
need greater assurance of safety, functionality, and durability
to justify investments.
- Less than half of the small wind turbine models on the
market have been tested.
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Small turbine ratings, on which most incentive programs are based,
vary by as much as 40% between programs. The most effective approach
to surmounting these hurdles is through a standardized certification
process with easy-to-understand labels that allow consumers to
make “apples-to-apples” comparisons of different small
wind turbines. While international certification programs are
in place, a more affordable and appropriate option has been needed
for the North American small wind turbine market.
The Solution
The Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC), as an independent
certification body, certifies that small wind turbines meet
or exceed the performance and durability requirements of the
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Small Wind Turbine
Performance and Safety Standard. This certification provides
a common North American standard for reporting turbine energy
and sound performance, and helps small wind technology gain
mainstream acceptance. |
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SWCC issues certified turbines easy-to-understand labels for
Rated Annual Energy Output, Rated Power, and Rated Sound Level.
The label also confirms that the turbine meets durability and
safety requirements. As turbines are certified, SWCC’s web
directory will include Power Curves, Annual Energy Performance
Curves and measured sound pressure levels for each model certified.
As part of its certifying function, SWCC determines the test reporting
requirements. Manufacturers applying for certification test their
turbines to the AWEA Small Wind Standard. SWCC does not conduct
tests, but verifies and certifies test results submitted by testing
organizations.
With certification labels, consumers can compare products and
funding agencies and utilities will gain greater confidence that
small turbines installed with public assistance have been tested
for safety, function, performance and durability and meet requirements
of consensus standards. Certification helps prevent unethical
marketing and false claims, thereby ensuring consumer protection
and industry credibility.
SWCC began to accept Notices of Intent to Submit an Application
in February 2010. |
