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faqs

Wind Turbine FAQs

How much space do I need for a turbine?
The turbine requires a footprint on the ground for raising and lowering which equates to approximately 2.5 times the height of the tower.

How close to our property can a turbine be located?
We would recommend the turbine is located at least 40m from the nearest building.

Do I need planning permission?
Planning permission is required for wind turbines at present and Planning Policy Statement 22 requires planners to encourage renewable energy where suitable.

What is the expected lifetime of a wind turbine?
Our wind turbines have a design life of 25 years.

Are there problems with low frequency noise?
There are no problems with low frequency noise with the turbines that we supply because they do not have a gearbox.

How do we know which turbine is right for us?
We will visit your site if it is in a suitable location to undertake a survey and discuss the options with you.

How efficient are wind turbines?
The efficiency of wind turbines is often misquoted by anti-wind campaigners. While it is true that the efficiency statistics appear low, the fact that the fuel (wind) is free means that the more important factors are annual energy production and lifetime of the machine.

Will a turbine affect my own or my neighbour’s property value?
There is recent evidence that a wind turbine or solar system adds value to a property. Your neighbour’s property price should not be affected by the installation of a wind turbine. We will always ensure that our turbines are sited in locations which will not adversely affect neighbouring properties.

Is there any funding available for installing wind turbines?
Domestic installations can receive a grant of £1,000.00 per kW peak production up to £2,500.00 under Phase 1 of the DTI’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) scheme; under Phase 2 of the LCBP, public sector buildings and charitable organisations including not-for-profit groups are eligible for up to 30% of the total project value.

Do wind turbines interfere with electrical equipment?
There is no interference with electrical equipment from our wind turbines.


Solar thermal FAQs

Where is the best place to position solar panels?
South facing, at an angle of 35° will give maximum gain but studies have found that an orientation between 30° East and 40° West of South will result in less than 10% loss of efficiency. Mounting the panel at a shallower angle will increase output in the summer and similarly winter gain will be improved by increasing the angle.

Are solar thermal systems suited to our climate?
Correctly sized solar hot water systems can provide around 60% of the domestic hot water for a property. This will vary depending on the way the hot water is used in the household. Businesses that have a high hot water demand in the summer such as the tourism sector can provide the majority of their needs from a solar system.

Will I need to re-plumb my whole house?
The only part of the existing plumbing that has to be changed is the hot water cylinder. In swimming pool heating applications a heat exchanger has to be added to the filtration pipe-work.

Can I install a solar system with a combi boiler?
Most older combi boilers will not accept pre–heated water so are not suitable, but many manufacturers are now developing solar compatible boilers. Please contact us for advice if you have a combi system.

Do I need planning permission to install solar panels?
Planning permission is not generally required but may be necessary if your property is listed or in a conservation area. The current regulations appear to vary from area to area but planners are being encouraged to accept renewable energy installations whenever appropriate.

Can we get funding to install a solar system?
Domestic installations can receive a grant of £400 under Phase 1 of the DTI’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) scheme; under Phase 2 of the LCBP, public sector buildings and charitable organisations including not-for-profit groups are eligible for up to 30% of the total project value.

Does Natural Generation offer a choice of panels or represent just one supplier?
We are an independent accredited installer of solar thermal panels and can offer products from a range of suppliers to suit each individual property and customers' requirements.

How do we know which system is right for us?
We will visit your home to discuss your needs and carry out an initial survey. This survey will include looking at your roof structure, its orientation, your hot water cylinder, your current heating system and hot water cylinder and your home’s layout. From this we will be able to prepare a system design and quotation.


Photovoltaic FAQs

What’s the difference between grid tied and off grid installations?
With a grid tied installation a specially certified inverter will match the output of the panels and feed it into the national grid. When the panels are generating electricity the power is used in the property first and spare electricity sold back to your electricity supplier. At night and during times of high demand spare electricity is always available from the grid. Off grid systems charge a battery bank to provide power for times that no solar power is available and have to be designed carefully to match supply with demand.

How much area would we need?
Photovoltaic panel efficiencies vary but as a rule of thumb a 1 KW peak output system will cover 8 sq m.

Are grants available for PV installations?
Domestic installations can receive a grant of £2,000.00 per kW peak production up to £2,500.00 under Phase 1 of the DTI’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) scheme; under Phase 2 of the LCBP, public sector buildings and charitable organisations including not-for-profit groups are eligible for up to 50% of the total project value.

Does the system need any maintenance?
The system has no moving parts so are virtually maintenance free and normal rainfall will usually clean the panels of dust and dirt.


Heat Pump FAQs

What heat can it provide?
A heat pump can heat water up to around 55°C (depending on type). This is usually adequate for hot water and also room heating. It is vital to understand that the hotter the water, the lower the energy efficiency, so running at a lower temperature will save a lot of energy. The following figures for a typical ground source heat pump system illustrate this:
Water heated to 55°C = 2.4 COP
Water heated to 45°C = 3.2 COP
Water heated to 35°C = 4 COP
(COP is the energy efficiency ratio. COP of 4 means you get 4 kW of heat out for 1kW of electricity supplied to the heat pump).

Why is underfloor heating coupled with a heat pump so highly rated?
The lower the target temperature of the heated water, the better the heat pump operating efficiency. Standard radiators can require temperatures as high as 80°C which is hotter than a heat pump can achieve, therefore you will have to increase the area of the radiators to be able to utilise the maximum working temperatures of 50°C from a heat pump. However, if the water temperature can be further reduced to around 40°C or less, then there are considerable energy savings.

How long will a heat pump last?
Most good water-water type heat pumps will far outlast even the best quality boiler. They should operate for over 20 years, and with minimal maintenance. Air source systems are usually exposed to the elements and have a slightly harder life, but should still last longer than a conventional boiler.

Is there a grant available for heat pump installations?
Domestic installations can receive a grant of £1,200 under Phase 1 of the DTI’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) scheme; under Phase 2 of the LCBP, public sector buildings and charitable organisations including not-for-profit groups are eligible for up to 35% of the total project value.

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