Domestic Wind Turbines
- Will I Need Planning Permission?
- What Information Will I Need To Provide?
- How Much Energy Will My Wind Turbine Produce?
- Are There Any Other Home Energy Production Options?
- Grants
With rising domestic electricity prices and increasing public awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions and utilise more renewable forms of energy, many people are investigating the possibilities of installing a domestic wind turbine at their home.
Below are a number of FAQ’s that members of the public are advised to consider when thinking about whether a domestic wind turbine is right for your home:
Will I Need Planning Permission?
Quite possibly, depending on factors such as the location and height of the wind turbine. You are advised to contact our planning department on 08452 304040 or 01462-611222 for an informal preliminary discussion in the first instance.
Whilst you may not need planning consent for turbines installed on your property and below roof level, or 3m in height if sited on the ground, it should be remembered that in general wind speed (and therefore the performance of wind turbines) increases with height. The wind turbine may also need a minimum operational wind speed to actually start producing energy, and performance can be affected if the location is too low or sheltered.
What Information Will I Need To Provide?
Where planning permission is required, then the Council will need to consider the impact of your proposals on the surrounding area. Factors such as the proximity of neighbouring properties, noise levels produced by the turbine when operating and any sunlight flicker effect will need to be considered. It is likely that you will be required to provide sufficiently detailed information to clearly demonstrate that your proposals will not have any adverse impact on neighbouring properties or the surrounding environment. Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from our website or obtained by calling the Contact Centre on 08452 304040 or 01462-611222.
In terms of noise, the Council will want to ensure that your wind turbine will not have an adverse impact on your neighbours through excessive noise levels when operating. Noise (including vibration) from wind turbines can be generated by:
- The blades passing through the air
- Gears/machinery housed in the nose of the turbine
- Vibration or rattling of any mounting (e.g. a pole etc.)
- Contact from cabling with mounting pole (i.e. flapping caused by wind)
Please remember that the wind turbine is likely to operate throughout the day and night, every day and night. Furthermore, background noise levels tend to be at their lowest at night when most people are sleeping. Therefore, this is the time when noise from your wind turbine can have its worst impact, on both your neighbours and you! As a result you should expect to have to provide as a minimum the product sound level information provided by the manufacturer. In some cases, particularly where you live in close proximity to your neighbours, you may be required to provide a detailed noise assessment from a suitably qualified noise consultant. To find out more about what information you will need to provide, please contact Planning Services on 08452 304040 or 01462-611222. To discuss the type of noise information that you will need to submit with any application, please contact the Work Environment Team on 08452 304040 or 01462-611222.
How Much Energy Will My Wind Turbine Produce?
This will depend on a number of factors, most principally the prevailing wind speed. As a general rule, energy production will increase with wind speed, up to a maximum level. Furthermore, there usually has to be a minimum wind speed for the turbines to actually start generating electricity. You are strongly advised to obtain the manufacturer’s specification for the wind turbine which should state the rated wind speed for the product, and levels of energy generated at that wind speed.
However, please be aware that wind speeds are prone to fluctuation, and therefore energy production will also vary. You are advised to consider likely wind speeds for your location. Information on average wind speeds. Remember that average wind speeds vary with height.
You should also consider the cost of the turbine and its life expectancy. All of this information should enable you to determine whether installing a wind turbine will be a worthwhile investment for your particular property.
Are There Any Other Home Energy Production Options?
Yes. There are a number of different options for saving and generating energy at home from renewable sources, and we would strongly advise you to look into these before deciding which one is most suitable for you, taking account of all the factors outlined above. Further information can be obtained via the following weblinks:
Mid Beds DC Renewable Energy Webpage
Energy Savings Trust: www.est.org.uk
Low Carbon Buildings Programme: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/home
