Wind power possibly coming to downtown Birmingham

Companies, building owners, government agencies and private citizens are all joining the effort to become more energy efficient and as "green" as possible. Birmingham is getting in on the movement by allowing commercial businesses to install windmills on their properties for energy consumption and to sell electricity back to the grid.

Last year, Birmingham's city government passed an ordinance allowing homeowners to install solar panels. Now, commercial businesses may install windmills on their rooftops or on a pole in the rear of or on the side of their buildings. The only restrictions are that a business may not install the windmill in the front of the building, and the windmill may not be more than 20 feet above the roof line.

Before installing a windmill, a business will have to gain approval from the planning commission by submitting a site plan. The plan must demonstrate the noise levels and any other impact the windmill may have on the surrounding areas.

Sources:

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20106270338