The Community Wind Information Service will provide analysis for groups or individuals looking into the possibility of installing wind turbines at farms, industrial facilities, landfills, schools, water plants or other community sites.

Massachusetts-based Second Wind said it would mean community developers would be able to decide “quickly and cost-effectively” whether it is worth installing a wind turbine at a proposed site.

The service centers around Second Wind’s Triton Sonic Wind Profiler technology, which can measure wind data at a site without the need to erect meteorological towers.

The Triton system uses remote sensing technology called sodar, which is similar to radar but bounces sound waves off air masses in order to calculate the speed of movement of the air.

Second Wind’s Community Wind Information Service will carry out a wind measurement campaign using the Triton, for between three and 12 months, and then analyze the data with other available wind information sources to produce a Wind Information Report.

This report would include energy estimates and suggested capacity factors for the turbines the developer is considering.

The service is suited to small wind projects of perhaps one or two megawatts capacity, and is being offered with several options, all priced under $50,000.

Michael Wiltshire, Triton account manager at Second Wind, explained: “The customer doesn’t have to hire multiple parties or go through the onerous permitting procedures that met towers require. After the measurement campaign is finished, they get a report that details all of our findings so they can make informed decisions about their project.”

The company said since its Triton units are easily relocated, it can also evaluate multiple sites in a single community much faster than using meteorological towers, with minimal environmental impact and few permitting requirements.

Matthew Cumberworth, Sr., vice president wind energy at Pennsylvania-based wind engineering firm WPCS, said community wind project economics were very tight.

Mr Cumberworth, whose company provides meteorological tower and Triton-based data services to wind farm developers, said: “Many projects don’t have a budget for consulting and equipment purchases for site evaluation. A service like Second Wind’s can make the difference between a productive project and a project that’s shut down after a year.”