Anyone got a wind turbine?

Rich · 8th February 2007, 17:50

As per title really.

I keep looking at these:

http://windsave.staging.atwwwuk.com/page.asp?partid=108

Total cost, including installation is only £1,500 and government grants are available and it will save around a third off your electricity bill. Which means the ROI is around three years and this is what's putting me off.

This kind of technology for the home is still in its infancy, my concern is that if I invest in this, sods law (and moores law technically!) says that in three years time the technology will be far better and turbines offering 50% or more savings will be available for the same cost.

Your thoughts ladies and gentlemen?

Zeb · 8th February 2007, 18:00

If it is one that attaches to your house steer well clear...they have a nasty habit of damaging the building!

Rich · 8th February 2007, 18:06

Roger that, have you seen the weight of these things???

Not sure my bricks could hold it

Zeb · 8th February 2007, 18:32

....and then there is the wind force pushing against them....:SHOCKED:

ColinB · 8th February 2007, 20:26

Be aware that it will only achieve the "up to 30%" saving if you have continuous winds of sufficient strength. On calm days you will not be saving anything.

ColinB · 8th February 2007, 20:33

Here is an extract from a post on another forum I frequent by someone who has looked into it:

The classic useless green initiative at the moment is the B & Q wind turbine. In my green days of 1980s I read numerous books on renewables, and actually built my own wind turbine. It became very appearent that Chalk is no good for wind generated power. The power of the wind is logrithmic, and we just don't get enough. (too much for my basjoo though)

Over the weekend, sad person that I am, I got the leaflet from B & Q, got hold of the manufacturers spec from the web. Compared their performance curve with my weatherstation data, and GUESS WHAT?

I t will take me 94.7 years to recover the £1499 I would have spent on it, but it is only guarenteed for 2 years, and is only expected to have a working life of 10 years. So the capital investment is £150 a year.

They talk of wind power in m/sec which virtually no-one understands. I converted it and 1m/sec works out at 3.6km/h. The power cut in for the turbine is 3m/sec or 10.8 km/h, with 1Kw at 12m/sec 45km/h.

The average windspeed in Chalk, 10 feet above the apex of the roof, since my weatherstation started (29/7) is 9.8km/h... BELOW the turbine cut in speed.

Don't anyone get fooled by this. You won't be green, it will use more carbon to make the turbine than you are ever going to save, unless you live right on the coast or on a mountain top.

Rich · 8th February 2007, 20:48

Whoa!!!

That's some pretty damning evidence there Colin

I wonder what the people at WindSave would make of it?

Know what he means about the whole B&Q "green" thing, their solar powered water heaters are unbelievable!

Right, I'll soundly knock this idea on the head for now and wait for technology to catch up with the world's requirements

ColinB · 8th February 2007, 21:04

Often this sort of thing looks great until you get the calculator out. Inland you just don't get enough wind. Thats why all the windfarms are on the west coast! Bye the way the UK national speed limit is 31.29m/sec

Zeb · 8th February 2007, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinB

Often this sort of thing looks great until you get the calculator out. Inland you just don't get enough wind. Thats why all the windfarms are on the west coast! Bye the way the UK national speed limit is 31.29m/sec

Er, actually we have loads on the East coast too - inland and offshore..

ColinB · 8th February 2007, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeb

Er, actually we have loads on the East coast too - inland and offshore..

I'll have to have a look one day. (usually head west for holidays for some reason).

8th February 2007, 17:50	#1
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Anyone got a wind turbine? As per title really. I keep looking at these: http://windsave.staging.atwwwuk.com/page.asp?partid=108 Total cost, including installation is only £1,500 and government grants are available and it will save around a third off your electricity bill. Which means the ROI is around three years and this is what's putting me off. This kind of technology for the home is still in its infancy, my concern is that if I invest in this, sods law (and moores law technically!) says that in three years time the technology will be far better and turbines offering 50% or more savings will be available for the same cost. Your thoughts ladies and gentlemen? __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

8th February 2007, 18:06	#3
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Roger that, have you seen the weight of these things??? Not sure my bricks could hold it __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

8th February 2007, 20:48	#7
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Whoa!!! That's some pretty damning evidence there Colin I wonder what the people at WindSave would make of it? Know what he means about the whole B&Q "green" thing, their solar powered water heaters are unbelievable! Right, I'll soundly knock this idea on the head for now and wait for technology to catch up with the world's requirements __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

8th February 2007, 18:00	#2
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If it is one that attaches to your house steer well clear...they have a nasty habit of damaging the building!

8th February 2007, 18:32	#4
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	....and then there is the wind force pushing against them....:SHOCKED:

8th February 2007, 20:26	#5
ColinB Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Croydon, Surrey Posts: 1,141 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Be aware that it will only achieve the "up to 30%" saving if you have continuous winds of sufficient strength. On calm days you will not be saving anything.

8th February 2007, 20:33	#6
ColinB Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Croydon, Surrey Posts: 1,141 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here is an extract from a post on another forum I frequent by someone who has looked into it: The classic useless green initiative at the moment is the B & Q wind turbine. In my green days of 1980s I read numerous books on renewables, and actually built my own wind turbine. It became very appearent that Chalk is no good for wind generated power. The power of the wind is logrithmic, and we just don't get enough. (too much for my basjoo though) Over the weekend, sad person that I am, I got the leaflet from B & Q, got hold of the manufacturers spec from the web. Compared their performance curve with my weatherstation data, and GUESS WHAT? I t will take me 94.7 years to recover the £1499 I would have spent on it, but it is only guarenteed for 2 years, and is only expected to have a working life of 10 years. So the capital investment is £150 a year. They talk of wind power in m/sec which virtually no-one understands. I converted it and 1m/sec works out at 3.6km/h. The power cut in for the turbine is 3m/sec or 10.8 km/h, with 1Kw at 12m/sec 45km/h. The average windspeed in Chalk, 10 feet above the apex of the roof, since my weatherstation started (29/7) is 9.8km/h... BELOW the turbine cut in speed. Don't anyone get fooled by this. You won't be green, it will use more carbon to make the turbine than you are ever going to save, unless you live right on the coast or on a mountain top.

8th February 2007, 21:04	#8
ColinB Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Croydon, Surrey Posts: 1,141 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Often this sort of thing looks great until you get the calculator out. Inland you just don't get enough wind. Thats why all the windfarms are on the west coast! Bye the way the UK national speed limit is 31.29m/sec