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Wind turbines generate sound at different frequencies, including low-frequency sound and infrasound.

Further details:
Infrasound is present in many environments (such as ocean waves, wind, and traffic), and levels from wind turbines at residential distances are typically below the threshold of hearing. Swedish environmental guidelines state that a noise level of 40 dBA at residences should not be exceeded, and based on current research there is no evidence of serious health effects at these levels.

Indoor noise guidelines, including those for low-frequency sound, must also be met. If people experience disturbance, several factors may play a role—this is why local conditions, permit requirements, and follow-up are important.

According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency:
Infrasound is sound at such low frequencies that humans cannot hear it, but we can still be affected by it. High levels of infrasound can cause symptoms such as dizziness and headaches. We are continuously exposed to infrasound from both natural and human-made sources, but harmful levels are very rare outside certain industrial environments. Studies show that wind turbines do not generate infrasound at levels that cause harm to human health.

Sources
https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289053563
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/everyday-things-emit-radiation/wind-turbine-noise/wind-turbine-noise-health-study-summary-results.html
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/nhmrc-statement-evidence-wind-farms-and-human-health
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/17/9133

Research shows mixed results, and the impact depends on several factors, such as distance, visibility, local market conditions, and how the project is perceived.

Further details:
In some studies, no or only small average effects are observed, although local variations can occur. Compensation schemes for nearby residents, which are used in many projects and are expected to become more formalized in some jurisdictions, are one way to address any potential reduction in property values.

Sources
https://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A2032994&dswid=-4565

Wind energy has a surprising upside – higher property values

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0928765526000205

That depends on the technology and where it is installed. Further details: Wind turbines have a relatively small physical footprint, consisting mainly of turbine foundations, access roads and crane pads. In many cases, the surrounding land can continue to be used for forestry, agriculture or other activities. At the same time, wind farms can affect landscapes and require consideration of environmental, cultural and community values. Solar parks generally require larger continuous areas of land, but they can often be located on lower-productivity land, former industrial sites or combined with other land uses such as grazing. Rooftop and building-integrated solar panels make use of existing structures and therefore reduce the need for additional land. Sources https://www.iea.org/energy-system/renewables/solar-pv https://www.iea.org/energy-system/renewables/wind https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Technology/Solar-Energy https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Technology/Wind-Energy https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2024/integrating-solar-energy-and-agriculture.html https://windeurope.org/about-wind/factsheets/

Wind turbines are typically not placed at a fixed minimum distance from homes. Instead, the distance is determined case by case based on factors such as noise, shadow flicker, safety, and local planning conditions.
In many projects, this results in distances of several hundred meters to around one kilometer or more, depending on the size of the turbines and the local environment.

Sources
https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/windexchange/sound

Noise from wind turbines mainly comes from the rotor blades moving through the air. There are clear regulations governing how much noise is allowed at residential properties. Further details: In Sweden, noise is assessed as part of the permitting process, and conditions are set to ensure that sound levels at homes normally do not exceed guideline values in the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance. A commonly applied guideline is 40 dBA outdoors at a residential façade, although lower levels may be required in particularly quiet environments. Before construction, noise modelling is carried out to estimate expected sound levels. After a wind farm enters operation, follow-up measurements may be required to verify compliance with permit conditions. People experience sound differently, and factors such as wind conditions, terrain and background noise can influence how noise is perceived. For this reason, turbine locations, distances to homes and operating conditions are carefully assessed to reduce the risk of disturbance. Sources https://windeurope.org/about-wind/factsheets/ https://www.iea.org/energy-system/renewables/wind https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Technology/Wind-Energy https://www.nrel.gov/wind/

Under certain weather conditions, ice can form on the rotor blades, which may create a risk of ice throw. Safety distances and procedures are defined as part of the project’s safety management and may be regulated through permit conditions and supervision.

Further details:
If ice that has formed on the blades detaches, it can be thrown some distance from the turbine. The risk depends on climate, operation, and technology, and is managed through safety distances, warning routines, and sometimes de-icing systems or automatic shutdown functions. Permits and safety planning describe how these risks are handled, including signage and operational procedures during icing conditions.

According to the Swedish Energy Agency, the risk of a person being injured by ice throw from a wind turbine is extremely low, with no reported cases of injury (2026). Therefore, there are no requirements to fence off wind turbines in Sweden. However, guidelines for safety distances are provided and should be followed under certain weather conditions.

How far is the safety distance?
The distance depends on wind direction, and the most precautionary recommendation is 1.5 times the height of the tower plus the rotor diameter. For modern wind turbines, this typically corresponds to exercising extra caution within approximately 500 meters of the turbine when there is a risk of ice formation.

Sources:
https://portal.research.lu.se/sv/publications/numerical-modelling-of-the-ice-throw-from-wind-turbines/

Shadow flicker occurs when the sun is low in the sky and the rotating blades cast moving shadows onto a dwelling.

Further details:
The effect can be perceived as disturbing at certain times of the day and year. For this reason, regulations limit how much shadow from wind turbines is allowed at residential properties. According to Swedish guidelines, the actual shadow duration should not exceed eight hours per year or 30 minutes per day.
Shadow is assessed during project planning and can be managed through turbine siting, layout adjustments, and, if necessary, operational control to limit shadow at sensitive times.

Sources:
https://www.vestas.com/en/energy-solutions/development/turnwindshadow