Installing a wind turbineHome wind turbines

Choosing a home wind turbine

It's important to check if a domestic wind turbine is suitable for where you live

There are two types of turbines: roof mounted and free standing mast mounted. Home wind turbines can either be connected to the national grid or stand alone, generating energy stored in a battery.

Home wind turbines come in a range of sizes, prices and powers, from generating less than 100W to around 50kW. Choosing a turbine design and size to suit your site is very dependent on individual circumstances. It’s also important to bear in mind that manufacturer claims are not yet standardised, which can make it difficult to compare different models.

Smaller micro-turbines are often used to charge batteries whilst those of 0.6kW upwards can also be used to generate electricity for houses and businesses. Roof top models vary from 0.5kW to 2.5kW in size.

Is wind power right for you?

The amount of electricity generated by a small-scale wind turbine depends on the speed and direction of the wind in your area and other nearby obstructions such as buildings, trees or hills that could reduce wind speed or increase turbulence.

The Energy Saving Trust's (EST) wind turbines study concluded that fewer sites than previously predicted were suitable to install the technology, and homeowners should install an anemometer – a wind gauge – for at least three months to determine the average wind speed for the location before considering investing in a wind turbine.

Checklist

Installing a wind turbine

Choose your site

Choose a site where the turbine can be mounted as high as possible. You’ll need somewhere where there are few surrounding obstructions such as trees and tall buildings
Wind speed

Get a reliable estimate of the wind speed at the site of your turbine. A professional measurement is preferable, but an estimate of the annual mean wind speed for a given OS grid reference can be found using the UK wind speed database
Planning permission

Ask your local council if planning permission is needed. It’s also good practice to speak to your neighbours at early stage to smooth over any initial objections
Additional costs

Factor in additional costs such as planning permission fees, cabling and installation. Ask your turbine supplier for an estimate of these and any potential additional costs
Connecting to the national grid

Contact your electricity supplier during the planning phase if you'd like to connect your turbine to the national grid. You may need permission to connect and your electricity supplier may charge a fee.
Insurance

Speak to your home insurance provider to see if it's able to cover your turbine for repair, replacement and theft

It's also possible to get an idea of average wind speeds in your area by using an online tool such as the Carbon Trust’s wind speed estimation calculator.

Many wind turbine manufacturers recommend installing at sites with a local average wind speed of 5 m/s or more, though both the EST and the Low Carbon Buildings Programme recommend a minimum wind speed of 6 m/s. The vast majority of UK households have an average wind speed of less than this.

Energy production increases with wind speed, up to a maximum level, and a minimum wind speed is usually necessary for turbines to start generating electricity.

Ask manufacturers for the specifications of their products when choosing a turbine, including the rated wind speed and energy generated.

Where to install your home wind turbine

Small-scale wind power is more suitable for remote off-grid locations where conventional methods of supply are expensive or impractical.

Building-integrated wind turbines can be suitable for urban locations – but findings from the EST field test of 38 building mounted turbines showed that performance was generally lower than anticipated, usually because of low wind speeds and poor positioning.

Free standing or pole mounted wind turbines could also be an option. The EST wind turbine field test also looked at 19 free standing turbines and found this type of turbine, when properly installed, to perform well.

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.

Planning permission for home wind turbines

Contact your local council to ask about planning permission if you’re considering installing a wind turbine. The majority of local authorities are keen to encourage the installation of renewable energy systems.

If planning permission is required, your neighbours will be consulted to voice any objections they have to the wind turbine. For this reason it’s good practice to speak to your neighbours before investing time and money in the planning process.