WIND MICROGENERATION FAQS

FAQs about MICROGENERATION USING WIND TURBINES

GENERAL INFORMATION
Climate change and increasing energy bills are two good reasons to look at renewable energy such as wind energy to generate electricity.

In most domestic situations it will not be possible to be totally dependent on wind energy so you will still need a standard electricity grid connection, however, you will be reducing both your electricity bills and your household?s carbon emissions.

What is it? There are two basic systems: stand-alone or grid connected. Stand-alone usually power batteries in remote areas.

How does it work? Briefly, turbine blades rotate in the wind, turning a copper coil in a magnetic field creating a current.

How much do micro wind generators cost? At the moment a typical 1 to 1.5 kilowatt domestic turbine will cost upwards of £1500(including the grant) but this also includes VAT and installation.

Does it need specialist installers? Yes.

Any grants available? Contact the Low Carbon Buildings Programme 08009157722 www.est.org.uk and expect to save about 30% of installed cost.

What reductions in utility bills would I expect? Up to 1/3 for an 'average' household with 'average' UK wind speeds but it is difficult to forecast accurately for individual cases because wind speed and individual consumption of electricity both vary greatly.

What will the pay back time be? Some companies selling domestic wind generators (micro turbines) suggest 7-8 years at current electricity prices (taking into account grants and income from ROCs) but it is difficult to calculate pay back time accurately as there are so many variables, energy inflation, changes to ROC entitlements and deals from electricity companies.

Should there be an annual service? Yes. Varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. (Windsave claim that the sealed unit will run for 10 years). But on average it takes about half a day. You could do it yourself, if you have some mechanical experience. Otherwise can cost £ 100 plus.

What are ROCs?  (Renewable Obligation Certificates)
ROCs are Government credits (not taxed) available for generation of electricity from renewable sources. They are currently worth up to £60 per megawatt, which is probably the average amount your domestic generator will produce in a year.

How noisy will it be? B&Q quote 40 decibels for their Windsave turbine, the StealthGen turbine quotes about 2-3 decibels above background noise. (The British Wind Energy Association quote rural night time background noise as 20 ? 40 dB www.bwea.com)

If it is actually attached to my house could it cause structural damage? Yes. Get a survey done by an environmental consultant as lateral thrust exerted by turbines on a chimneystack or gable ends in high winds could cause damage. Consider putting it on open ground.

Can I sell any surplus electricity back to the national grid? Yes but in reality, with a 1kw system, there won't be many occasions except at night or in a gale when you are producing more than you need.

How would I go about selling surplus back to the National Grid?? You will need an export meter (about £75 plus VAT) and registration to sell on National Grid. You will then need to negotiate a rate with your electricity supplier; this will probably be considerably less per unit than you will be paying them for the electricity you purchase from the grid. You could sign up with a green supplier of electricity and they will pay you around 5p for every unit of power you generate.

What to do first? 
•Talk to neighbours and the council about planning issues.
•Check local wind speeds (www.bwea.com)
•Talk to manufacturers and installers before buying ? get 2-3 quotes.
•Get a survey done for independent advice.