Wind Power
Wind turbines harness the power of the wind and use it to generate electricity. In the UK, which has the best wind energy resource in Europe, small wind turbines can produce enough electricity for all the needs of a home or business.
How do small wind turbines work?
Wind power is a completely clean way to produce electricity. Wind turbines use aerodynamically tuned blades to catch the wind. When the wind blows the blades are forced round, driving a turbine which generates electricity, the stronger the wind, the more electricity produced. The generated power is conditioned and transformed to an appropriate voltage which can then be supplied to a building. There are two types of small wind turbines; free standing mast mounted turbines and roof mounted ones which are usually smaller and produce less electricity.
How much energy can small wind turbines generate?
The output of a wind turbine depends on the turbine's size and the wind speed through the rotor. Small wind turbines being manufactured now have power ratings ranging from 250 watts (enough to power a few desktop computers) to around 50kW (enough to power a small village). Wind speed is a crucial element in projecting turbine performance and is measured through a wind resource assessment prior to system installation. Dependant on the available resource at a site, a small wind turbine can realistically be sized to power anything from a single house to large business premises. If you are interested in determining whether your site is suitable for a wind turbine installation, feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements or to arrange a site visit.
How much do small wind turbines cost?
Costs for small roof mounted systems start at around £1,500. Larger mast mounted systems capable of providing enough electricity to power a typical home cost between £11,000 and £19,000 fully installed before grants.
Running costs are very low and once you have paid for the initial installation you will be able to make money from generating electricity and even sell surplus by exporting back to the National Grid.
Domestic 6kW Mast Mounted Wind Turbine
Is wind power suitable for me?
At Green Energy Consultancy, we can assess if wind power is suitable for your home or business. Just contact us and we can talk over your requirements or arrange a site visit if needed. You can answer a couple of basic questions yourself to get an idea if wind power is right for you:
Are there any large obstacles like buildings, trees or hills nearby?
Small wind turbines work best in exposed locations and are hindered by turbulence caused by large obstacles.
Is your home or business in a windy area?
For a small wind turbine to be effective, average wind speeds of 5m/s upwards are required.
Do you need planning permission?
Small wind turbines often do need planning permission so it is important to check with your local authority before having a system installed.
If you feel that wind power is something you would be interested in considering, please do not hesitate to contact us and we can give you all the advice and information you need and can provide you with a complete solution tailored to your requirements.
