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Modern wind turbines are tall structures when compared to other nearby man-made and natural objects, as required to capture stronger and less turbulent winds at greater heights. Unlike many other areas in the country where the windiest areas are remote, New England's high population density means that wind turbines are often visible from some nearby communities and residences, raising aesthetic concerns. This effect is further compounded by the fact that, for on-shore applications, most turbines will need to be sited at higher elevations on mountain or hill ridgelines or exposed shorelines. For off-shore applications, turbines will generally be visible from the shoreline as transmission line limitations and ocean depths will dictate how far from shore these projects can be located. In the longer run, off-shore wind farms may be able to move to even windier locations farther off-shore, based on the experience gained from installations nearer to shore.
Eye of the Beholder
Some members of a community may find wind turbines unappealing, unsuitable for a given landscape, industrial in appearance, or even downright ugly. Many others find them suitable in a proposed location, graceful in their slow-moving sweep, and may see in them a majestic beauty. In New England communities in which modern wind power facilities have been installed, surveys have been conducted to solicit public perceptions on aesthetics. Like many other surveys conducted elsewhere, these generally support the proposition that well-sited wind farms experience increased acceptance following construction. See for example:
- A general survey of Vermont residents (PDF 79 KB) Download Adobe Reader was conducted in March 2004 by Renewable Energy Vermont and includes a question on visibility and aesthetic acceptability of wind turbines in Vermont.
- In Rhode Island, the Wind Energy Center (a collaboration of Roger Williams University School of Architecture, Brown University, and the Rhode Island School of Design) has been developing and applying a combination of tools to explore the visual aspects of wind power in specific communities. By combining a dynamic photo simulation able to illustrate the aesthetic placement of wind turbines and their kinetic motion in various landscapes and state-of-the-art deliberative polling techniques to assess aesthetic perceptions within a broader context, the Wind Energy Center helps communities that value wind energy to find the best locations for installation.
Property Values
While aesthetics impacts are subjective and may be addressed through local planning processes, a resulting concern in communities hosting wind projects is the impact to property values. The most comprehensive study to date has been completed by the Renewable Energy Public Policy project in their May 2003 study "The Effect of Wind Development on Local Property Values" (PDF 1.6 MB) Download Adobe Reader. The study evaluated a number of wind energy facilities across the United States and reported on their impact to properties in the viewshed of these facilities. In addition, a November 2002 study "Economic Impacts of Wind Power in Kittitas County" (PDF 326 KB) Download Adobe Reader by ECONorthwest evaluated the potential impact of wind energy projects in Kittitas County, Washington on property values, tax revenues, and the local economy. These studies suggest that fears of falling property values in the proximity of wind energy projects in the United States are not supported by actual evidence.
Tourism
Furthermore, in locations where tourism is an important part of the local economy, the presence of a new wind energy facility may raise questions about possible negative impacts to local tourism. A wind farm may be perceived as a complement or an enhancement to tourism for those interested in the technology or as an opportunity for the community to build awareness and education around clean energy. In other cases it could be seen as having an adverse impact to the local tourism industry by deterring visitors. While U.S. studies are limited, the East Haven Wind Farm/Institute for Rural Tourism issued an October 2003 report on their survey regarding tourism impacts of proposed East Haven Wind Farm (PDF 76 KB) Download Adobe Reader.
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