Frequently Asked Questions

This is part of the normal operation of a wind farm. Continuous variations in wind direction, speed and intensity cause some turbines to spin while others nearby may be idle.

Sophisticated monitoring and wind resource analysis allow wind developers to estimate with a high degree of certainty "when" and "how much" wind energy is available, so as to be reliably integrated into the electric grid. When the wind blows, wind farms are a reliable source of energy and also can displace fossil-fueled generation, such as oil and gas.

When the wind is calm, the turbine may be at rest. However, at the heights of utility-scale wind turbines — usually more than 200 feet above ground — on a site selected specifically for its good wind resources, it is not very often that they would be totally still.

Generally, yes, but they vary by region. In California, the peak wind season is summer; in the Midwest, it's fall and winter; in Texas, spring is peak. Each wind plant has specific daily and seasonal variations. Each wind site also has specific wind patterns, which are determined through wind studies conducted during early development of a project.

Turbines sited in areas that experience extreme cold or heat are equipped with special Arctic or tropical equipment packages. In sustained winds of 56 mph or gusts of about 100 mph, turbines shut down automatically.

It depends on various factors, but wind turbines generally require preventative maintenance checkups one to two times per year. We also have a state-of-the-art diagnostic center located at our corporate headquarters that monitors turbine operations 24/7 and can identify and address issues before they become operational problems. When an issue does occur, we work with the manufacturer to investigate the cause and replace the impacted equipment.

The sophisticated computer system inside a turbine performs thorough self-diagnostic tests and troubleshoots errors before the startup command is given. If the computer detects any problems it cannot auto-correct, the turbine automatically shuts down. In addition, a system control and data acquisition (SCADA) control system allows a remote operator (using a data link from anywhere in the country) to set new operating parameters, stop and start and perform system checks, and ensure turbines are operating at peak performance.

Wind energy is the one of the most cost-effective sources of new power generation. Wind projects are able to efficiently put electrons on the gird, providing grid reliability and delivering economic benefits to the local community in the way of tax revenue and jobs.

Our projects generally secure long-term commitments for a wind farm's output from one or more buyers prior to construction.

The energy from wind turbines can be reliably integrated into the transmission grid, so as to have no negative impact on the grid and provide customers with clean, renewable energy as a source of their electricity.

Wind turbines are a safe and effective means of generating electricity. The first wind turbines came online in the U.S. in the 1980s. People have been safely living and working around wind turbines for generations. In addition, wind turbines have several built-in safety features, and we also have a state-of-the-art diagnostic center located at our corporate headquarters that monitors turbine operations 24/7 and can identify and address issues before they become operational problems.

Modern turbines are equipped with an extensive lightning protection system that grounds (makes harmless) the equipment without affecting turbine operations.

When ground-level winds are high, the sound of the wind masks most of the turbine sound. The sound from the rotating blades may be audible depending on many variables, such as your distance from the turbine, weather conditions and time of day.

Multiple studies have found wind farms have no significant long-term impacts on property values. 

No. When properly sited, wind turbines are a safe and effective means of generating electricity. 

Decommissioning is the process of removing all wind turbines and returning the land to its original condition.

Our company is a wholesale provider of electricity. While we provide the electricity itself, your power bill — which you get from your local electric provider — contains a number of different items and costs, along with the electricity.

That said, renewable energy is among the most cost-effective forms of energy generation available today, and adding more affordable, renewable energy to the regional grid reduces the need to build more expensive fossil-fuel-generated electricity.

No. Wind turbines do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions, water emissions or solid waste byproducts.

Each wind turbine uses less than one acre of land, allowing landowners to continue farming and ranching around them.

NextEra Energy Resources works with landowners when siting wind turbines and access roads to minimize impact to crops, grazing and other farming and ranching operations.

Yes. During construction there will be additional traffic in the area. Although the construction period is only a matter of months, it will require heavy equipment, including bulldozers, graders, trenching machines, concrete trucks, flatbed trucks and large cranes.

Once the wind farm is operational, there is no need for additional construction traffic.

The timeline really depends on the size of the project. However, six to nine months is a typical timeframe to build most wind projects.

A landowner can potentially earn more per acre for hosting a wind turbine than any crop or ranching activity. Income from a wind farm helps diversify a landowner’s operations.

The regular payments landowners earn create guaranteed, long-term income that is not impacted by commodity prices or weather. Land agreement terms can vary widely, based on a number of factors. The prices are negotiated between the wind project and the landowner, so we do not disclose them to the public.

Commercial terms and land rights agreements with landowners can vary widely from one project to another. The variations are based on several factors, such as available wind resources and the number of turbines on the property.

Land contracts also generally cover additional items including locations and types of access roads, project decommissioning terms and the landowner and wind project manager’s responsibilities.

No. Landowners are not liable for actions occurring on their property as a result of the equipment. Our contracts with landowners hold them harmless from liability resulting from hosting wind turbines and associated equipment on their property.

No. However, if you are a farmer, you are compensated for loss of crops during construction. Determining when construction begins will depend more on when the easements and permitting are complete, as well as having the wind farm operational before peak wind seasons arrive, which will vary by region.

Our option and our easement are only for the wind turbines. Landowners can enter into other agreements that do not interfere with the wind turbine equipment or operation.

Landowners hosting wind turbines can still have hunting leases. A number of our wind projects are on hunting camp property.

The wind project pays the taxes on our generation equipment and infrastructure.

 Please call 1-855-552-9872, and we will respond to your questions. 

Once converted into electricity, solar energy is used in homes and businesses just like any other form of electricity.

After the initial investment in solar-energy equipment, the costs are minimal since the sun provides free "fuel." These facilities are not affected by the supply and demand of fuel or subject to price volatility, and solar energy can help reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy.

 

1. As light hits the solar panels, the solar energy is converted into direct current (DC) electricity.

2. The direct current flows from the panels into power inverters and is converted into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is suitable for use by homes and businesses.

3. The AC electricity from the power inverters is collected using cables and delivered to a central electrical substation, where it passes through a power transformer.

4. The electricity travels through transformers, and the voltage is boosted for delivery onto the transmission lines.

5. American-made solar electricity is delivered to homes and businesses.

We currently have ownership interests in approximately 8,000 MW of operating solar projects (as of 2024), representing universal-scale solar facilities in 31 states.

Solar energy emits no pollutants and the overall impact of solar on human health is overwhelmingly positive.

Solar energy represents about 21% of NextEra Energy Resources' generation.

We look for a location with good wind or solar resources, landowners who are interested in hosting our equipment and proximity to transmission lines.

We cannot guarantee that we will assess every parcel of land presented to us. However, you can contact us for more information.

Typically, a project will require 5 to 8 acres of land for each megawatt of solar energy capacity.

Yes. During construction there will be additional traffic. Although the construction period is only a matter of months, it will require heavy equipment, including bulldozers, graders, trenching machines, concrete trucks, flatbed trucks and large cranes.

It depends on the size of the project. However, 12 to 18 months is a reasonable time frame to build most solar projects.

A storage system consists of:

• Individual battery cells. 
• These cells are collected into modules and housed in a specially designed, climate-controlled storage container. 
• The racks fill containers, not unlike a storage container you’d see on a ship or truck. 
• The containers are paired with inverters to convert DC to AC electricity. 
• Can be paired with a renewable energy asset (solar, wind) or stand alone. 

Battery energy storage helps optimize the way the power grid delivers electricity to customers including:           

• Reduces fluctuations in voltage
• Reduces energy losses and waste
• Avoids the need for some system upgrades, including big transmission projects
• Extends the hours a renewable energy project can operate, i.e., even after the sun goes down or the wind stops blowing
• Allows customers to enjoy more renewable energy, more hours of the day

Energy storage delivers several advantages to the power grid and our customers. What makes energy storage attractive is that it can store electricity and deliver it later at a more appropriate time, in the required amount, to either grid operators or direct consumers.

Fires involving battery energy storage systems are rare. At NextEra Energy Resources, the safety of our employees, neighbors and the public are always our highest priority. Responsible energy production begins with preparation from day one.

• Batteries used in our facilities undergo rigorous industry testing and certification by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This ensures that the cell and module designs are robust.
• Battery modules are housed in fully enclosed containers, like shipping containers.
• Each container is equipped with fire protection and explosion control systems to comply with the National Fire Protection Association.
• We have sensors that alarm when an abnormal condition arises. Additionally, our facilities are monitored 24/7 by our Renewable Operations Control Center, which can remotely shut down any affected site.
• We work and train with local first responders and fire officials to coordinate any response, in the unlikely event of a fire.

NextEra Energy Resources affiliates have more than 2.6 GW of operational energy storage, including:

WEST 

• Arlington Energy Center III, California 
• Arlington Solar, California 
• Blythe 110 Energy Storage, California 
• Blythe II Energy Storage, California 
• Blythe III Energy Storage, California 
• Blythe IV Storage, California 
• Buena Vista Energy Center, New Mexico 
• Casa Mesa Energy Storage, New Mexico
• Desert Peak, California 
• Desert Sunlight Energy Storage, California 
• Dodge Flat Solar, Nevada 
• Fish Springs Ranch Solar, Nevada 
• Jackson Fuller Energy Storage, Colorado
• McCoy Energy Storage, California 
• Neptune Energy Center, Colorado 
• North Central Valley Storage, California 
• Paulsell Energy Storage, California
• Pima Battery Energy Storage System, Arizona 
• Pinal Central Energy Storage, Arizona 
• Proxima Energy Storage, California
• Resurgence Solar I and II, California 
• Saint Energy Storage II, Arizona 
• Silver State South Energy Storage, Nevada
• Sky Ranch Energy Storage, New Mexico
• Sonoran Energy Storage, Arizona
• Storey Energy Storage, Arizona
• Sunlight Storage II, California
• Thunder Wolf Energy Center, Colorado 
• Troutdale Energy Storage, Oregon
• Wheatridge Solar, Oregon 
• Wilmot Energy Storage, Arizona 
• Yellow Pine Energy Center I, Nevada 

• Blue Summit Energy Storage, Texas 
• Cool Springs Solar, Georgia 
• Inertia Energy Storage, Texas
• Shamrock Energy Storage, Texas
• Searcy Solar, Arkansas 

• Casco Bay Battery Energy Storage System, Maine 
• East Hampton Energy Storage, New York
• Elmira Energy Storage, Ontario 
• Green Mountain Battery Energy Storage, Pennsylvania 
• Mantua Creek Energy Storage, New Jersey
• Minuteman Storage, Massachusetts 
• Montauk Energy Center, New York 
• Parry Energy Storage, Parry Sound, Ontario 

• Breckinridge Energy Storage, Oklahoma
• Gopher Energy Storage, Anoka and Isanti counties, Minnesota 
• Minco II Energy Storage, Oklahoma
• Rush Springs Energy Storage, Oklahoma 
• Lee Dekalb Storage, Illinois
• Woodward Energy Storage, Oklahoma

Additionally, over one-third of the new solar projects we’re developing for customers now includes a storage component.