RENEWABLE ENERGY
LETTING THE SUNSHINE IN
The 2 MW solar facility at Northfield Mountain in Northfield, Massachusetts, is among the largest solar installations in New England and GDF SUEZ’s first commercial solar project in North America.
The 55 turbines of West Cape Wind Farm dot 8,000 acres of scenic potato farmland on the Canadian Maritimes Prince Edward Island. West Cape—in tandem with Norway Wind Farm near the province's North Cape—provides carbon-free clean electricity to its neighbors and customers. Together, the two wind farms power approximately 27,900 homes during a year.
Completed in two phases in June 2007 and March 2009, West Cape operators have been committed to sustaining a positive partnership with land owners, adjacent property owners, and the community as a whole. In addition to the $100 million economic investment in the area during construction of the renewable project, the wind farm has remained supportive of various community initiatives, including educational, athletic and recreational programs and area fire departments.
Because of West Cape's dual near-town and near-shore locale, passersby may wonder why each turbine is not always turning. In fact, wind generation facilities characteristically do not continuously operate at capacity. For a West Cape turbine to generate electricity, winds must reach 16 km (9 miles) per hour. Winter time on Prince Edward Island is peak generation season, when the turbines operate at about 60 percent of full capacity; summer months are naturally less windy. On average, the wind farms generate about 35 percent capacity in the run of the year.
Majestic and artful, West Cape's turbines soar to a height of 80 metres (262 feet) and each blade spans 39 metres (128 feet).
LETTING THE SUNSHINE IN
Completed in two phases in June 2007 and March 2009, West Cape operators have been committed to sustaining a positive partnership with land owners, adjacent property owners, and the community as a whole. In addition to the $100 million economic investment in the area during construction of the renewable project, the wind farm has remained supportive of various community initiatives, including educational, athletic and recreational programs and area fire departments.
Because of West Cape's dual near-town and near-shore locale, passersby may wonder why each turbine is not always turning. In fact, wind generation facilities characteristically do not continuously operate at capacity. For a West Cape turbine to generate electricity, winds must reach 16 km (9 miles) per hour. Winter time on Prince Edward Island is peak generation season, when the turbines operate at about 60 percent of full capacity; summer months are naturally less windy. On average, the wind farms generate about 35 percent capacity in the run of the year.
Majestic and artful, West Cape's turbines soar to a height of 80 metres (262 feet) and each blade spans 39 metres (128 feet).
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