A wind turbine works in exactly the opposite way to a fan.
Instead of using electricity to generate moving air, turbines use the wind to generate electricity.
The wind blows on the blades making them turn a shaft.This operates a generator that uses magnetic fields to convert the rotational energy into electrical energy.
An inverter converts this energy into electricity,so it can be used in your home.
The system looks like a windmill. Medium sized wind turbines can be mounted as close as 20-50m from your house. They can also be roof mounted on high rise buildings with flat roofs such as universities or schools.
There are many things to take into consideration, the main one being to assess the wind speed and activity in your area. There are two main ways of calculating your wind resource and you should look for sites that have good exposure to prevailing winds:
Costs vary depending on the size of system installed.
A typical system will cost between £12,000 and £25,000.
Currently all wind turbine installations require planning permission.
Benefits:
- In the right wind area wind turbines will provide free electricity.
- The system could add value to your property.
Once a year the turbines are lowered to ground level, the covers are removed and the main components are checked.
