Towers and Tower Installation

The tower on which a wind turbine “flies” plays a huge role in a successful wind system. It raises a wind turbine to a nonturbulent height at which it can harvest lots of energy from the wind. A tower also withstands nature’s fury.

Tower installation involves a significant investment in money, too. In larger systems, the cost of a tower may account for nearly a quarter of the price tag. For smaller wind turbines, an appropriately sized tower plus installation may cost two to three, sometimes five times, more than the turbine itself.

Tower installations also require a significant amount of time. Most students at wind energy workshops are surprised to learn that most of their time is spent not working on the turbine, but assembling and raising the tower.

In this chapter, we’ll explore three tower options, tower assembly and installation. We’ll discuss proper siting and the economic benefits of installing a turbine on a tall tower. We’ll end with a description of safety concerns and give you some advice on buying a tower.