Wind Energy

This guide provides Minnesota communities with resources for crafting wind energy ordinances and includes a model wind energy ordinance. It discusses each section of the model ordinance and provides additional resources.

The model defines three classes of wind energy conversion system (WECS) by rated electric capacity, and applies standards with varying permissiveness to each (p.6). It discusses other strategies communities may utilize to differentiate between small-, medium-, and large-scale WECS. Tier I (large) and Tier II (medium) WECS are allowed, either  by-right or as discretionary uses, depending on size and location (p.9). It addresses Tier III (small) WECS separately, at the end of the code (p.15).