Small Wind Turbines

27 June 2019

Wind is a clean, free, and readily available renewable energy source. Wind turbines harness the power of the wind and use it to generate electricity.

Wind turbines use 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 wind turbines that could be used at home:

  • A pole mounted turbine is free standing and are erected in a suitably exposed position, with a generation capacity of about 5kW to 6kW.
  • A building mounted turbine is smaller than mast mounted systems and can be installed on the roof of a home where there is a suitable wind resource. Often these have a generation capacity of about 1kW to 2kW.

Small-scale wind power is particularly suitable for remote off-grid locations where conventional methods of supply are expensive or impractical. However, building mounted wind turbines are also suitable for urban locations on homes and other buildings.

You can usually install a roof-mounted turbine anywhere there’s a reasonable amount of wind, such as a gable end or the side wall of a building.

The optimum site for a wind turbine is a smooth-topped hill with clear exposure, free from excessive turbulence and obstructions such as trees, houses or other buildings. However, other areas may have a sufficient wind resource to make a wind turbine worthwhile.

Wind speed increases with height so it’s best to have the turbine high on a mast or tower.

Wind energy installations do need planning permission. Your local council should be able to offer advice on this.

The benefits of installing a Wind Turbine

  • Reduce your electricity bills.
  • Cut your carbon footprint.
  • Store excess electricity in readiness for when you need it.
  • Electricity generated by the wind does not emit CO2 or leave any waste products.
  • Wind is an infinite resource that cannot be exhausted.

Maintaining a Wind Turbine

If you install a wind turbine, you will need to undertake maintenance checks every few years. This will generally cost around £100 to £200 depending on turbine size.

A well-maintained turbine should last more than 20 years, but you may need to replace the inverter at some stage during this time, at a cost of £1,000 to £2,000 for a large system.

For off-grid systems, batteries will also need replacing, typically every 6 to 10 years. The cost of replacing batteries varies depending on the design and scale of your system.

I’m interested in installing a Wind Turbine, what should I do next?

Search for an MCS certified Installer using our directory of approved installers.

MCS is a mark of quality. Using an MCS certified installer ensures that equipment meets good standards of performance and that installers are technically safe and competent.

Make a decision based on three quotes. Trust your instincts and go with a good value quote with an installer you feel you can trust.