Siteing
To accurately assess the suitability of a site, a detailed site survey will be performed. The survey will include comprehensive energy estimation and will identify any issues which may impact on the installation of the turbine.
There can be a number of planning issues that may make your site unsuitable for erection of a turbine e.g.
- Military installations- A turbine will not be allowed in close proximity to a military airbase or radar station
- Neighbours- The turbine must be at least 50m away from surrounding homes. In the case of larger turbines this distance increases to 75-150m
- Designated areas- Planning may be an issue in areas of outstanding national beauty or national parks
Turbine Location
The turbine should ideally be sited as far away as possible from buildings or trees, as these can block the wind and cause turbulence. See the figure to the left illustrating where a wind turbine should ideally be located.
Other considerations include:
- It must also be at least 50m, and ideally 75m – 100m from the nearest neighbour’s property to avoid noise being an issue.
- Access to the site will be needed for a lorry or crane in order to deliver and install the turbine pole.
The site survey will include:
- An assessment of the potential wind speed. This will be obtained by using the NOABL database and then applying adjustments specific to the local circumstances.
- Any issues which may impact on the installation of a wind turbine, e.g. site access, ground conditions, electrical connection, cable routes etc will be identified
- Advice on the possible locations within the site for a turbine, taking into account the best location for wind, noise, shadow flicker, safety and the least impact on the surrounding properties and views.
- Detailed measurements which can subsequently be used when applying for planning.
- An energy generation estimation including how much energy you would be expected to use within the property, and how much would be likely to be exported to the grid.
- Details of the required ground works for the installation of the turbine, normally sufficient for you to obtain a quotation for that aspect of the project
