Ardene5 Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Hello We are thinking of adding either Solar panels or a wind generator to the top of our shed next to the chicken / hen run we are in the process of making. We would like to know if anyone has used either item to make electrical power and what problems if any have you had. Thank you. Best regards Ian & Valerie William & Harry Missy & Millie dogs girls Bluebell & Tinkerbell " The Bluebell Girls" The new girls, , small , , 3 ex battery hens 2 x 1 x now on wildlife trust duck pond , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 A wind generator on top of a shed wouldn't generate enough wind to do very much at all. They are notoriously bad TBH and not cost effective. My next door neighbor has a HUGE one mounted on top a lorry container in the field behind their house and still doesn't get much electricity and drives people NUTS with the whistling at times (we don't mind it but his sons hate it) Actually I was out for a walk the other day and realised that the whistling I could hear was his windmill. As for solar, depends what you want it for really. I looked into solar again recently and the payback time is about 10 years and it seems it's only really effective for heating water. Again my neighbour has some but I havn't had the chance to find out how they are going - he only installed them this summer. He is a very handy chap too and has done all of this himself therfore reducing his costs considerably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I considered both when we moved. we live somewhere pretty windy, and re: wind turbines (a) never ever attach them to a building as you're asking for damage, (b) gusting wind is no good (e.g. if there are hills/trees/buildings then it will be) © the lifespan of the turbine is less than it's payback period, (d) the CO2 cost of manufacture installation and maintenance can be pretty high, so they're not really that green. (e) but if enough people buy them now then technology will improve so they'll get better in future (f) The danger to birds is unproven and some people (not connected with elec companies) really disoute the claims (g) unless you get a really big one then they just don;t produce much power Solar panels, good for water heating if you've an accessible, south-facing roof which gets direct light, but really long payback period. IMO better off insulating your house as well as you can and replacing electrical items with A rated ones when they pack in. energy saving bulbs, etc etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 we've had solar panels for hot water for about 8 years, they are really good, with the cost of gas the way it is they've paid for themselves now, we also have an open fire with a back boiler, cost us £250 to have the boiler put back in, so we hardly use any gas at all for heating water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
