Wind Turbines use unique technology that generates electricity & supplements the national grid’s electricity supply.  This method requires a certain amount of consistent wind power, so the building’s location is critically important for this technology to work effectively.  If your location suits the requirements (listed below) a wind turbine will reduce the building’s reliance on traditional energy sources; benefiting the environment, and helping to lower your bills and CO2 emissions.

The first step is to assess the likely annual average wind speed/direction and to assist in this the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has modelled wind speeds for every square kilometre of the UK. You will need your property individually assessed but the following diagram can act as a guide to start with.
 

The maximum output of one of our Inverters (that is most suitable to a 3 bedroom house) is 1.25kW, which is achieved @ 12.5 m/s. On very good wind speed sites an annualized energy output of 1MWh is possible. As a guide, a wind turbine will cost roughly £2,500 + VAT, for a standard 3 bedroom house. 

Although, it should be noted that two sites with the same annual average wind speeds may not produce the same amount of energy. Wind speed varies with the seasons, from day to day and even with time of day. Wind speed increases with height, as the ground and obstacles close to it disrupt air flow. For safety reasons the system must have at least two metres clearance from other physical obstacles such as TV aerials, overhead power lines, chimney stacks, etc.
While the Support Pole position and height may increase energy output (due to higher wind speed and less turbulence), AlternEnergy adopt practical considerations towards the costs and the ease to maintain the system.  We will also avoid positioning the system, with a high level of obstacles, in a direct path to the prevailing winds. This will reduce the amount of energy capture that is possible from the wind but will reduce small eddy currents, which can cause the system to yaw about its axis resulting in a loss of wind energy.

The output of noise is a common question asked whilst discussing Wind Turbines.  Wind Turbine noise will increase with increases in wind speed, but background noise will also increase with stronger winds. In addition mechanical vibrations may be transmitted through the structure and this may be experienced as audible noise. It should be noted that our systems have sound deadening materials added between the support pole and each of the supporting brackets to minimise this problem.  The electronic Inverter is the size of a small domestic wall mounted central heating boiler. It is recommended that this Inverter is not fitted in bedrooms, living rooms due to the noise approx (approx. >30 dbA) given off by the cooling fan of the Inverter during high and sustained levels of exporting).  This level of noise can be put into perspective by using the following information:-

The most common method off fixing is an attachment to the vertical brick walls using our patented anti-vibration bracket assembly (See below) which comes in two main sizes; 250mm stand off and a 450mm stand off. This stand-off allows for a different eve’s overhang off buildings although a custom bracket can be manufactured for an eves overhang that is greater than 450mm
 

With every possible renewable / alternative energy system, we highly recommend an Energy Performance Assessment to be carried out (see www.redconsultant.co.uk) for all aspects of the building to be assessed. This gives the client independent advice of the most suitable system and it give AlternEnergy most of the information required to design the system.  If a Wind Turbine comes out as the EPC’s recommended solution, another site assessment for a Wind Turbine is then required.  This secondary assessment will be our feasibility study to consider or confirm the best options to you, address the position for the wind turbine; fixing methods we would use together with an assessment of Health & Safety issues at site.  The cost of a Site Assessment for Wind is £115 plus VAT and is non refundable, however if a purchase order is placed for the wind turbine installation the assessment costs will be taken off the total price for our services. 

There is therefore a risk that the customer may pay the £115 plus VAT; and then the site assessment deems the property not suitable. For this instance we would like to lessen the risk to our clients by providing you with a list of checks that you can carry out prior to the assessment.  The following list will help us to understand the potential more and avoid any unnecessary costs to both of us:

• Take photographs all round the building, including details of the eves overhang as we can not install on an eves overhang of greater than 400mm.
• Take photographs of the ground area immediately around the building
• Take photographs of the site topography (e.g. buildings, trees that may be around the
  Building)
• Take photographs of the locations where the electronic Inverter could be located.
  (Note: This electronic Inverter is like a small wall hung central heating boiler that has a cumulative kWh display panel on the lower half of the Inverter and the Inverter should located near the main distribution board)
• Provide a plan of the property; showing names of rooms with approximate dimensions.
• Let us know the construction type of the building.

While the above is not a full site assessment it can reduce the possibility of an eventual site assessment rejection. If at all possible forward these details to us, by using our contacts page.

Once these assessments have been carried out & you have placed the order, you will receive the following accredited product, which will be installed by an accredited installer.

Standard Installation Definition:

• Wall mounted 250 mm ‘stand off’ Anti-vibration bracket assembly
• ‘dc’ cable length between generator and the position were the electronic Inverter will be positioned should be no greater than 15M.
• 16A Type B, MCB to be fitted to the distribution board by client.
• Dedicated electrical circuit to be installed from distribution board and terminated with a 13A fused spur by client. (Note: This is to allow connection of the electronic Inverter)
• Support Pole 3.3M
• Material to be delivered to site at least one day before install date and the electronic Inverter to be held in secure storage by client before use.
• Capable of being installed by 2 men within 1 day
• Installed using a 10M alloy tower scaffold system.
• Installed within the hours 09:00 to 16:00 Monday through Friday