Introduction

 EAGLE POWER is an accredited reseller and installer of Proven Energy wind turbines. We can assist at every stage of the process of planning, installing and operating a wind turbine.

Site Survey

The essential requirements for any site are:

1. The availability of wind at an average speed of at least 5 m/s.

2. A site with sufficient space for the erection and maintenance of the turbine, ideally a minimum area of 5m wide and 30m long in the case of a turbine mounted on a 15m mast.

3. Physical access for heavy equipment needed to excavate and build the base, transport the mast and turbine to the site and lay cabling to the turbine.

It is important to appreciate that every site is unique. The DTI Wind Speed Database will provide you with an initial indication of the average wind speed for the location you have in mind, but this can only ever provide a general indication. Firstly, the data is based on historical information which may no longer hold true and, secondly, many factors can influence wind turbine performance so that wind available just a short distance away is noticeably different.

We can undertake a full site survey and advise on the feasibility of any proposed system.

Planning Permission

The regulations presently in force in the United Kingdom mean that planning permission to erect a wind turbine will be required from your local authority.

There is full guidance and information to be found on the Planning Portal but use the 'Professional User' section of the site. You will need to be familiar with the relevant parts of  Planning Policy Statement (PPS22) Renewable Energy (which replaces Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 22). It sets out the Government's planning policies for renewable energy, which planning authorities should have regard to when preparing local development documents and when taking planning decisions.

A planning pack prepared by Proven Energy is also available to assist you in this process.

Local authorities are required to make a decision on planning applications within 8 weeks of receiving an application.

Grants

Once you have received planning permission for your wind turbine, your first port of call in establishing the availability of any grant is the Government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Householders can apply for grants of up to £2,500 per property towards the cost of installing a certified product by a certified installer.

Under the terms of a Low Carbon Buildings Grant certain energy efficiency measures should be undertaken before an application is made. These measures aim to ensure that you have first minimised your energy requirements. Applicants must first ensure that:

1. The whole of the loft of the property has been insulated and meets current building regulations, for example, 270mm of mineral wool loft insulation or a suitable alternative.

2. Where a property has cavity walls, cavity wall insulation has been installed.

3. The property is fitted with low energy light bulbs in all appropriate light fittings.

4. Basic heating system controls, including room thermostats and a programmer or timer have been installed.