Backyard wind power? Not so fast

Talk about taking the wind out of urban wind power’s sails.

Graham Findlay in Ottawa was told he cannot install a wind turbine in his backyard, despite support from his neighbours. Besides having to change the zoning of his home, he would have to set up the turbine so that if it fell, it would fall only on his property.

The turbine in question is a ten-meter tall Energy Ball V100, designed for residential areas. According to Ottawa’s current bylaws, wind turbines can only be erected on properties that are at least 0.8 hectares in size; about 8,000 square meters. What does that mean?  For urbanites, it’s checkmate.  According to Ottawa’s Planning and Development Approvals Commissioner, 8,000 square meters is the minimum plot size for country lots. Lots created for average homes are generally around 2,200 square meters.

The Energy Ball V100 is nothing like wind-farm turbines. It’s actually shaped like a ball, and has a very discreet design. It takes a load off of the local power grid; Findlay says it would supply his house with 10 per cent of its energy needs.

In the future, it may be possible to install smaller turbines in urban backyards. The Green Energy Act seems to stipulate zoning rules don’t apply to certain renewable-energy installations.

However, because the Green Energy Act is so new – only passed in May – Ottawa is still getting its ducks in a row about how it will be put into practice.