Comments on: Has anybody tried the new small wind turbines and/or solar panels now available from large DIY stores?. An?

By: Snowlizard

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:24:02 +0000

The sad thing about solar panels is they don't easily work with combi boilers although I suppose you couls have a pre-heat cylinder between the incoming mains and the boiler. I see many negative comments about wind turbines. I don't think we get many days with no wind at all so there should be some gain during the day as well as during the night. Fridges and freezers are on all the time as are stand-by systems on tv,video etc and it is here that the savings could be made.
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By: xenon

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:38:09 +0000

Some great answers.
The turbines produce 1 kilowatt of energy when running at full power. You have to ask yourself when did we get wind ? where I live on the outskirts we seldom get wind. Cost is £1500
Solar panels produce hot water which has to go to a special heat exchanger to give up its heat. Both MUST be installed by their own fitters.
I have found that most wind occurs in the middle of the nite, so the energy would be going to the freezer, the clock, the overblanket.
With all the upset and noise, is it the answer ?
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By: Essex Ron

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:11:02 +0000

Have a look at the savings you get with solar panels. Sure, in the summer you get so much hot water it is far more than you need – and you don't need that much – but in the winter there is far too little radiation to supply you with all the water you need.

I worked out that you need to have a solar panel for about 20 years before it pays for itself. That was a few years ago – it might be less now, and the prices have gone down, but nevertheless the up-front costs need to be recouped and it will take a while.

Further, there is an environmental cost in the manufacture of the panels themselves, as well as the transport costs of making them available.

It strikes me that, although they are a good idea in a country with year-round sun, in the UK they do not deliver.

And wind turbines? When do you need most power? In the depths of winter. When is it coldest? On still days and nights. What does the wind turbine do then?

Nothing.

What is the answer to our power requirements for the mid to long term future? There is only one answer that we know of at present. Nuclear. What we need to discover is how to make it safer and what to safely do with the waste products.
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By: incongru

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:02:04 +0000

Just like anything else that is new, wait till the ballyhoo has all died down and then they will be a fraction of the price. They're far too expensive just now.
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By: Mogseye

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:40:14 +0000

http://www.windsave.co.uk or diy.com. You can get upto 30% grant for installing one but beware the councils still consider them needing planning permission. The Government is supposed to be bringing out relaxed rules for planning for domestic wind turbines.
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By: seanachie60

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:37:14 +0000

got a website for these? would love to try them out.
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By: twokay75

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:33:56 +0000

I wonder what the local councils are thinking about when faced with the prospect of people sticking wind turbines up on their roofs without planning permissions.
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By: brian l

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:32:57 +0000

Not personally but some friends of ours have and they are quids in. The savings they made this year alone has paid for two holidays.
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By: greydays

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:32:42 +0000

Yes I have tried the small wind turbines, however i found them a little chewy and the after effects were stunning. With regard to the solar panels i found them a little hot for my liking
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By: polly

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:32:11 +0000

NO ARE THEY ANY GOOD??????
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