Generate electricity at home with small-scale wind turbines
Wind turbines harness the power of the wind and use it to generate
electricity. Small systems known as "microwind" or
"small-wind" turbines can produce electricity to help power the
lights and electrical appliances in a typical home.
See how wind turbines work with your home
40% of all the wind energy in Europe blows over the UK, making it an ideal
country for small domestic turbines.
- How do small domestic wind
turbines work? - The benefits of wind
electricity - Is wind electricity
suitable for my home? - Making the most of wind
electricity - Costs and savings
- Find out more
How do wind turbines work?
Wind turbines use large 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.
There are two types of domestic-sized wind turbine:
- Mast mounted: these
are free standing and are erected in a suitably exposed position, often
around 2.5kW to 6kW - Roof mounted:
these are smaller than mast mounted systems and can be installed on the
roof of a home where there is a suitable wind resource. Often these are
around 1kW to 2kW in size.
If your small wind system is connected to the National Grid then you can
make money by selling any generated electricity to an electricity supply
company.
From 1st April 2010 you could be eligible to receive cash for each unit of
electricity you generate using this technology.
If the turbine is not connected to the electricity grid then unused
electricity can be stored in a battery for use when there is no wind.
In the UK we have 40% of Europe’s total wind energy
The benefits of wind electricity
- Harness a plentiful
energy source: in the UK we have 40% of Europe’s total wind
energy. - Cut your carbon
footprint: wind electricity is green, renewable energy and
doesn’t release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants. - Cut your
electricity bills: wind is free, so once you’ve paid for the
initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced. - Store electricity
for a calm day: if your home isn’t connected to the National Grid
you can store excess electricity in batteries and use it when there is no
wind.
Is wind electricity suitable for my home?
To tell if a small scale domestic wind turbine is right for you, there are a
few key questions to consider:
- Are there any
large obstacles like buildings, trees or hills near your home?
Small domestic wind turbines work best in exposed locations, without
turbulence caused by these type of obstacles - Is your home is a
windy area? To be effective you need an average - Is your home
located away from the National Grid? Small domestic wind systems
are particularly suitable for use in remote locations where mains
electricity is unavailable. - Do you need
planning permission? Small domestic wind systems normally do
require permission from your local authority, so check before you install
a system.
Making the most of wind electricity
To make the electricity you produce go further:
- Invest in energy efficient
appliances - use energy when the wind
is blowing – do your laundry on a windy day to take advantage of the free
electricity - charge up your batteries
whenever you have excess electricity
Costs and savings
Costs for a roof mounted microwind
system start at about £1,500. Larger mast mounted systems cost between £11,000
and £19,000, including installation. These provide enough electricity for
lighting and appliances in a typical home.
Savings: Recent monitoring of a range of small domestic
wind systems has shown that a well sited 2.5kW turbine could save around £380 a
year off electricity bills when some generation is exported, and a saving of
around 2.6tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Maintenance checks are necessary every few years, and a
well-maintained turbine should last over 20 years. Battery storage life is
typically between 6 and 10 years.
