HOLLAND -- Homeowners in the city now have the ability to generate their own electricity by harnessing energy generated by the wind.

However, some city officials say it may take time for people to take advantage of the new ordinance, unanimously adopted tonight by the City Council.

"We haven't received an overwhelming amount of inquires," city planner Mark Vanderploeg said of the ordinance. It creates two classes of wind turbine projects -- one geared toward residential use, the other more toward large-scale commercial projects.

He says the high upfront cost of wind turbine systems may keep potential buyers away, unless additional tax incentives are offered.

Homeowners would be able to install wind turbines of up to 30 kilowatts, so long as the height of the tower isn't wider than the distance between the tower location and property line.

"I think it demonstrates a sensitivity, that Holland City Hall is thinking and acting green," Mayor Al McGeehan said.

Holland becomes the first city in Ottawa County to adopt a wind energy ordinance, although several townships -- Zeeland, Chester and Wright -- already have them. Countless other municipalities in both Ottawa and Kent counties are considering or plan to take up proposals regulating wind energy projects in the near future.

In Kent County, Sparta Township has seen little in the way of requests for wind projects since approving a wind energy ordinance last November. Iberdrola Renewables has installed a 200-foot-high meteorological tower on the farm of Dick and Barbara Shepherd, on Phelps Avenue between 14 Mile and 15 Mile roads, to collect wind speed, direction and other weather information to determine whether the area might be used for a wind farm.

"We've known for some time that some companies have looked at Sparta Township, and we felt we'd be more proactive and get an ordinance in place," Township Supervisor Dale Bergman said.

Sparta Township's ordinance allows wind energy systems of 65 feet or less in any zone with a permit from the township staff, with taller turbines allowed in non-residential areas if a site plan and special use permit are approved.

In neighboring Alpine Township, board members are expected to hold the first of two votes next week on a proposed wind energy ordinance. It would allow towers up to 65 feet high in any zoning district, including residential, township planning director Sue Thomas.

Chester Township, which has had a wind ordinance for several years, is expected to consider changing it to allow for smaller, residential uses.