Wind turbine being offered to use - what to ask?

[tinnews]

We're being offered a 'free' 5kw (or possibly two) turbine.

Basically the deal is that 'they' install and maintain the turbine and get the feed-in tariff for the electricity, we get all the electricity it generates.

We have 9 acres of land so it won't be crowded! I can't really see any major downside for us except possibly what it looks like but it can be placed somewhere that isn't too visible from our (or any other) house I should think.

We're fairly high (by Suffolk standards) and exposed, what's the realistic expectation of kwh per year from a 5kw turbine?

[Nightjar]

I suggest you ask any bats who live in your area for their views.

Bignell

[Tim Streater]

Make sure you read the small print to see where you are in the FIT gets scrapped.

[The Natural Philosopher]

wait till some big company comes along and uses it as an excuse to put

10 5MW turbines up..

Id say steer clear - even if its no cost, when the company goes bust, you will have to pay to remove them.

Well probably about 1Kw average - so around £2.50 a day or 8,766 units p.a. more or less.

[Tim Streater]

In fact, make sure you read *all* the small print carefully. Make sure they can't sell you on or arbitrarily change the Ts&Cs unilaterally. You don't *have* to take their "standard contract", you can agree any contract you like with them - if they want the business.

[mogga]

Have you asked on the navitron forum?

[Dave Liquorice]

Rule of thumb is 30% of the rated output over a year assuming decent exposure. But it is very dependant on location, nearby obsticals, buildings/trees etc. Average windspeeds for a given area are available on the web which will give a *rough* guide.

5kW is 5 * 24 * 365 =3D 43,800 kWH/year absolute maximum. 13,140 kWh/year realistically, in a good location. Thats about =A31300 worth of electricty at 10p/unit retail, assuming you can use it all which for a normal household isn't very likely as it's around 36kWh/day average. The FiT rate for a 5kW turbine is 28p/unit or about =A33700/year but you don't get that....

Personally I'd avoid the free turbine/PV, provider keeps the FiT deals. They wouldn't do if they weren't going to make a profit. If you do go for it read the small print very carefully as to who is responsible for and who pays for any ongoing repairs/maintenace/3rd party insurance etc...

[tinnews]

Thanks all, you've all said most of the things I was expecting.

I most definitely am going to read the small print in detail.

[The Natural Philosopher]

no, onshore for a small turbine 15%-20% at best.

[geoff]

[Martin Brown]

Worth taking a look at where you are on the windspeed map and the slightly more precise (but not necessarily accurate) km grid version.

less than yellow (under 6m/s average) is probably a suckers bet, but if you aren't paying then you just need to make sure you understand the contract. Also don't let them install kit where windshear and the turbulence wake from the turbines will channel any noise along the prevailing wind direction.

Power out scales with the cube of the wind speed so it is lumpy.

And what happens when the FIT ends and they go bust.

[Dave Liquorice]

turbine?

That bad...

There are about 1/2 a dozen popped up around here in the last year or so. Mind you some of those might at places that are off grid, which is a different ball game. =A320,000 for grid connection with ongoing and rising bills or =A320,000 for a turbine and batteries with probably lower ongoing and fairly stable maintenance costs...

[Man at B&Q]

Or when you want to sell the property.

MBQ

[David P]

Nothing is 'free' and you risk entering into a lease with all kinds of onerous clauses in it. My advice would be to find a firm of Chartered Surveyors who will have specialist knowledge and can properly advise you.

You can get the company to agree to cover both the surveyors and legal costs if they are a reputable turbine company.

David

[Tim Streater]

Precisely why I was advocating that the OP read the small print - all of it - *carefully*.

[David P]

I had heard rumours . There is a potentially similar argument running with telecoms masts. I forget the detail now but I think its something to do with telephony legislation (but I'm dredging a few years worth of forgettary now)

David