Wind turbines in agriculture - current situation and economic viability

Only a small number of farmers make an investment in a wind turbine themselves, despite the fact that they frequently own the land; instead, many of them lease sites to wind turbines. A survey on the reasons for this was conducted by interviewing farmers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and was backed up by a calculation of the economic efficiency of wind turbines. On the one hand, a considerable amount of equity capital is required for setting up a wind turbine. The capital invested frequently competes with the purchase of agricultural land. On the other hand, those who independently build a wind turbine face risks such as having to advance substantial financial means for a planning permission and other examinations which precede the construction of a wind turbine, and all this does by no means guarantee that a construction permit will be issued in the end. What is more, any farmer intending to set up a wind turbine must take into account fluctuations in wind yield and, as a result, fluctuations in yields. In summary therefore, it can be said that only farmers in an optimistic frame of mind, and who are not averse to risks and have the necessary funds at their disposal will independently set up a wind turbine on their land. Leasing one's own land to other investors is rather profitable and clearly less risky.