Producing your own energy to reduce your electricity bill
Domestic wind energy: definition
Domestic wind turbines, also called ” small wind turbines ,” can be used by individuals or businesses for the same purpose: to reduce their electricity bills by producing their own energy. The output of small wind turbines does not exceed 30 kW (or 36 kVA).
Wind turbines are often mounted on a mast to raise them above any nearby obstacles. A basic rule is that wind turbines should be located 9 meters above any obstacle within a 150-meter radius. The best locations are those far from any significant obstacle.
Wind turbine for private use
For both businesses and individuals, it must mostly be mounted on a mast, more rarely on a building roof in the case of vertical wind turbines .
Experimental measurements have demonstrated that the loss of efficiency is extremely significant when obstacles interfere between the wind turbine and the wind blowing towards it.
The best locations are those far from any significant obstacles. A wind energy design office can model a future installation to estimate the average wind speed and turbulence levels, taking into account the size and shape of the wind turbine, as well as the distance to all obstacles at the proposed site.
What are the administrative constraints?
Regulations are based on the height of the installation, concerning whether or not it is connected to the network , and also regarding the procedures:
– <12m with self-consumption, connected to batteries, with a declaration of works to be filed with the town hall of the municipality in question;
– >12m with a connection to the ERDF network (connection file to be provided to ERDF + declaration of electricity production) according to the VDE 0126-1-1 equipment standard, with possible energy buyback from 18m with Enercoop (renewable energy supplier), accompanied by a building permit and an environmental impact notice.
All of this results in a lengthy project development period between the initial request and the final installation. The wind turbine installer can assist you with these steps.
Pricing for small domestic wind turbines
Wind turbine for private use, prices
To give you an idea, depending on the technology used ( vertical or horizontal wind turbine ), as well as the size of the mast, for a generator ranging from 1kW to 10kW, you should expect to pay between €7,000 and €60,000 excluding VAT for the complete installation ( price of the wind turbine + associated equipment + installation costs ).
How much does it cost to install a domestic wind turbine?
The price of a raw wind turbine installation without associated equipment, all certified by the EXPERTISE of a professional, ranges between €2,000 and €10,000 depending on the installation.
Can a wind turbine cover all of my electricity needs?
Small wind turbines aim to meet minimal energy needs by providing sustainable power to electrical appliances. Domestic wind turbines are primarily used in rural areas and are generally paired with solar panels. A small wind turbine can ensure the energy independence of a small home , a sailboat, or even cover half of a household’s electricity consumption.
Therefore, the coverage rate of a wind turbine depends on the need in question, but also on the capacity of the wind turbine in question.
