I was really interested in a wind turbine, but once I calculated the outputs, was way off being convinced. So 500kWh is give or take 1.5kWh a day. But to get that huge figure, you need zero disturbance of the wind, so ideally needs to be well away from houses and trees and also very high, otherwise the output does drop like a stone, turbulence kills effective output. Plus you will get inverter losses on any thing remaining.  Ditch that idea, would be my advise.

Ripple payback cost is reliant on electric prices going up, but if net zero is a real target, electric pricing has to come down and gas go up. Any forcing of wholesale pricing downwards hits the Ripple profits or payback. If electric pricing is unlinked from gas cost, and as more renewables come online who knows what will occur. I was thinking about it but fell off the fence to the no side.

Is there a brand of wind turbine you guys were considering? 

@editor I was looking at this https://www.myskywind.world/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADlDXqXln-svRFFllLceCC5oYujF-&gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3i-IVX17xXneKTKdX4jXY-4a1nVzI9YZtkvTq1_pwESAhAyb3iFFkBoC4boQAvD_BwE

if electricity prices alter significantly then that effects the payback with all the methods. Very hard to know. 

@bontwoody I've seen these before and wasn't sure what to make of them. As you've said, there's a lot to consider. However, we get pretty windy in autumn and winter, so they would generate some power to offset electricity consumption.

I think it was Derek who posted this turbine a few years ago. There's still no update from him, but it's a cool design with no moving parts.

https://www.halcium.com

@editor @johnmo The link says it’s still not in production yet.I wonder how efficient that type of design is compared to an open blade. I’ve also seen a type that sit on the roof ridge, will a cylindrical blade.  

The possible lack of longevity of turbines is an issue. At least if you buy shares in Ripple someone else sorts that out. 

If any of us thought the costs of electricity would drop greatly then would we even get solar panels fitted? 

I hope the government do look at the pricing structure of fuels but I fear any changes would have to be introduced slowly as I’m guessing they won’t just lower electricity without raising gas and that will hit many peoples budgets. 

@bontwoody I’ve opted for Ripple shares; in both a solar farm, (Derril Water) and more recently, I have ‘topped up’ to match my expected energy consumption with some more shares in their third wind farm. I hope to see some returns from the solar at the end of this year but the wind farm is still in the planning stage - but I have faith in Ripple coming up with the goodies in due course.

We live in a windy spot but I have yet to hear of anyone reaping benefits from any wind turbine of any design that would be acceptable in any domestic environment so have no plans to pursue such a project. I have solar PV and I do have a battery - I regard the Ripple Energy option is my best addition to the panels and battery.

Regards, Toodles.

Posted by: @bontwoody

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@editor I was looking at this https://www.myskywind.world/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADlDXqXln-svRFFllLceCC5oYujF-&gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3i-IVX17xXneKTKdX4jXY-4a1nVzI9YZtkvTq1_pwESAhAyb3iFFkBoC4boQAvD_BwE

if electricity prices alter significantly then that effects the payback with all the methods. Very hard to know. 

Looked at the manual, and any turbulence seems to kill output significantly and could reduce life of the unit by up to 80%. Pricing also seems significantly higher than you have quoted, by the time you made it had made mounts or pole, imported in to the UK, you would nearer £3500 to £4000

@johnmo @toodles I was using the summer offer price but hadnt accounted for roof mounts. So really with planning, low production, maintenance and mounts its really not in the picture. The Ripple looks like a safer bet than the battery, but both will be hit by reducing electricity prices.

There is something satisfying about having all the production you need on your house but realistically it makes more sense to outsource it I think. The only other option is to do nothing and wait for the facility to hook up my EV for use as a home battery 🙂

@toodles I have a similar system but a single 5kWh battery covers all my needs except in the depths of winter. The amount I would save makes it difficult to justify buying another battery module. The uncertainty of electricity prices makes investment for the future difficult!

@bontwoody Yes, energy cost uncertainly is the killer in forming any plans for the future. I suppose I have a phobia about being able to ride through power interruptions partly as the result of an outage in mid-winter during Covid lockdown; we could not leave the house, we could not run the gas central heating, we couldn’t do any cooking  (my wife has very special dietary requirements) - and this lasted 12 hours due to a burn out of a section of the cable in our road. I was very fortunate in that I had funds to indulge my fear of total power failure for an extended period so included a Powerwall in my solar PV plans. I wanted two Powerwalls but availability of just one took some months with a promise of a second if I paid a 25% deposit and wait 15 more months!

I had the second Powerwall installed soon after our ASHP was installed (but not by the installer of the first Powerwall - and several thousand pounds cheaper than the first company demanded!). The recent remodelling of the Cosy tariff provides a total of 8 hours at the lowest rate and will enable me to ‘keep the lights and heating on’ using just that lowest rate. I know that in terms of economics, my idea may sound bonkers, but it certainly makes us feel more comfortable! 😉 Warm Regards, Toodles.