RE: Re: Domestic wind turbine

["Ian Lowe" <ianlowe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Jim Noble
>
> It's not windy 24x7 in most places, and 350W will be the peak output
at a
steady stiff breeze, which > he's not likely to see very often with it
mounted on the gable end of the house rather than up in the > main
airflow...?
>
> Jim

350W isn't the maximum rating, it's a planning average, which includes an
element for time spent with the wind above the furl point of the blades
(when the generator basically shuts down to protect itself) as well as
taking into account that power generation isn't linear - the turbine I was
looking at is capable of bursting to nearly 550W before it furls.

Admittedly, the 350W figure is for Scotland (although not the highlands -
that's *much* higher!) but it shouldn't be dramatically lower than this.

I'd agree placement is the big issue - it depends what he can get past
planning. Even an extra four or five feet could make all the difference if
it helps him clear the turbublence caused by the roof itself.

It would be wrong for anyone to try to present Wind as a free ride - it
isn't, and careful planning of the system is needed... But we are well past
the point where these schemes will break even. Most of the combined
solar/wind systems I have heard being installed in recent years end up
being
net contributors to the grid.

Ian.