FAQs — Foundation Windpower On-site Wind Energy

Question 1

What expenses do Foundation customers incur?

Accepted Answer

There are no capital costs to the customer. Foundation Windpower pays for all development costs and capital expenses related to the project. Customers may have minimal internal legal or closing costs. Turbines are delivered, installed, and commissioned at Foundation's expense.

Question 2

Who pays repair, maintenance and operational costs?

Accepted Answer

Foundation Windpower pays all costs associated with operating and maintaining wind turbines for the full project lifetime.

Question 3

How does the customer save money?

Accepted Answer

The customer purchases all wind power generated on site at a rate lower than their current utility rates. Customers save on standard energy charges year after year. Over the lifetime of the contract some customers will save millions in energy costs.

Question 4

What about impact on the environment?

Accepted Answer

According to a U.S. Department of Energy report, wind power can displace substantial amounts of coal and natural gas fuels. If 20 percent of American electricity is wind generated, by 2030 we would reduce CO2 emissions by 825 million metric tons.

Question 5

Is a facility disrupted by construction of the tower?

Accepted Answer

Operations remain uninterrupted since construction takes place near but outside of working facilities.

Question 6

Can the project lower customer peak demand charge expenses?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the customer's load profile permits, the project will make a site eligible for a renewable-only rate tier (SCE Option R or PG&E A6) with greatly reduced peak demand charges.

Question 7

What happens if the wind underperforms expectations?

Accepted Answer

The customer never loses money. However, total customer savings would decrease proportionally, since there would be fewer discounted kilowatt-hours available to purchase from the project.

Question 8

What happens in the event of a disaster which causes turbine failure?

Accepted Answer

Foundation fully insures the turbine at its own expense.

Question 9

How long does the process take?

Accepted Answer

6-18 months from the first expression of interest to an interconnected wind turbine. The variability is based on how long the customer takes to approve the project internally, what permitting process is used by the local government, and equipment availability. Construction is usually completed in two separate 2-week periods — one for site preparation and foundation construction, and one for turbine erection and commissioning.

Question 10

How much wind is required to make a project feasible?

Accepted Answer

The site will need a minimum of 5.5 m/s of wind to operate.

Question 11

Do you only operate in California?

Accepted Answer

Although all projects are currently based in California, we are able to look at projects in other states.

Question 12

What happens at the end of the Power Purchase Agreement?

Accepted Answer

There are two options available to customers: the first is to extend the Power Purchase Agreement if the turbine is in good condition, and the second is for Foundation Windpower to decommission the turbine at their own cost and restore the site to its original state.

Question 13

How about bird life in the area?

Accepted Answer

Recent research from the scientific community supports the premise that wind energy is less hazardous to avian wildlife than traditional fossil fuel generation. Modern wind turbines utilize low rotational speeds, which allow birds to see and avoid the blades. Furthermore the turbines utilize single-pole towers, leaving birds no place to perch or nest on the turbine structure. One recent study concluded that wind turbines kill an average of 17 times fewer birds per GWh generated than traditional fossil fuel generation.

We know you have questions.
You'll find many answered here.

A step-by-step approach that assures timely completion

We know you have questions.You'll find many answered here.

A step-by-step approach that assures timely completion

We know you have questions.
You'll find many answered here.