Wind Turbine Power...

A wind turbine is like a big fan, but works in the opposite way.  A fan uses energy to generate air, whereas a wind turbine uses air to generate energy. Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into electricity. 

This form of energy is now being widely used with the introduction of wind farms. These sets of giant windmills not only dot our moors and countryside, but are now being floated on the sea. Wind energy is a renewable source of energy. It is clean and it reduces toxic gases in the atmosphere, and last but not least, it will NOT run out!

It is now possible to generate your own electricity at home.  A wind turbine can be positioned near to your home. Electricity is generated when the wind blows and turns the large blades. 

Did you know? - Wind farms all over the world provide enough power to service 47 million people.
Did you know? - If wind provided 12% of the worlds energy, we would save over 10,700 million tonnes of CO2.

How Do Wind Turbines Work?
Wind blows the blades around, which turns a shaft, which operates a generator that converts the rotational energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy then goes into an inverter, which converts it to 240 volts. 

What Do Turbines Look Like?
It simply looks like a windmill!  Medium sized turbines can be mounted 20-50m from your house. They can also be mounted on a flat roof.

Is My House Suitable To Have A Wind Turbine?
The first thing to take into consideration is the speed and activity of the wind in your area. Ideally the site chosen should have an average wind speed of around 5m/s, with good exposure to prevailing winds.

There Are Two Main Ways To Assess Your Wind Speed:

• Visit www.dti.gov.uk, which shows wind speeds across locations in the UK, and gives you a rough idea of suitability.
• Install a small anemometer at your property. Take daily measurements with this wind speed monitor over a 6 to 12 month period, then take a daily average.

How Much Does It Cost To Install A Wind Turbine?
A typical system will cost between £12,000 and £25,000, depending of course on the size of the system installed.

What About Planning Permission?
Currently ALL wind turbines need planning permission.  Contact your local council.

What Are The Benefits Of Having A Wind Turbine?

• In the right place, wind turbines will provide FREE electricity.
• The system could higher the price of your property. A recent survey shows that people are prepared to pay up to £10,000 more for eco-friendly properties.

Are There Any Ongoing Maintenance Costs?
Once a year, the turbine is lowered, the covers are removed and the min components are inspected.

Are There Any Grants Available?
Grants are available, if you know where to look for them. www.est.org.uk has details.