Onshore MET, and offshore fixed and floating meteorological structures

Before construction, measurement of the wind and solar resources, as well as important weather data, on prospective sites are required by erecting temporary measurement towers onshore, and by placing fixed or floating structures offshore. Typically weather collecting sensors (rain collector, temperature and humidity sensors, anemometer, UV, and solar radiation sensors) are mounted on meteorological evaluation towers (MET) at a range of heights up to the hub height of the proposed wind turbines, and log the wind speed data at frequent intervals (e.g. every ten minutes)  for at least one year and preferably two or more. Lidars on the other hand eliminates the need to construct meteorological towers, and decreases the overall cost and time. Weather data gathered allows the developer to determine if the site is economically viable, and to choose wind turbines optimized for the local wind speed distribution.

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