The suitable parameters to assess noise impact of a wind farm in a complex terrain: A case-study in Tuscan hills

Noise impact may represent a major hindrance to new wind farms. In Italy installations are usually planned in hilly areas, where amenity and quietness are the main attractiveness and characteristics. Moreover, in those scenarios, the influence of wind profiles on noise propagation is very complex due to the topography of the sites. Due to this peculiarity, the evaluation of noise impact of a wind farm is a tricky and weighty task. Specific instrumental investigations were performed in a wind farms in the Tuscan hills chosen as cases of study to analyze the critical aspects and to develop measurement and experimental procedures for a correct assessment of noise impact in a context of this type. © European Acoustics Association.