Energy Transition Theater: How to be a Good Noise Neighbor

Renewable Energy (RE) facilities including solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems have many noise-producing elements that may need to be designed to comply with local and state noise regulations. When noise evaluations should even be considered will be discussed first along with some easy rules of thumb. Second, the session will explain what RE components produce noise and which do not. The session will show how the equipment sound specifications are turned into noise level predictions at abutting properties. The presentation will provide a summary of selected municipal, county, and statewide noise regulations, highlighting the important elements of a noise code. Finally, a key part of the presentation will address what noise control measures are available to mitigate project sound levels and how those treatments translate into a final project that is a good noise neighbor.