Wind energy has numerous benefits. It’s renewable, environmentally friendly and, unlike most non-renewable energy sources, completely free. Anyone can make use of the wind and it will never run out. The running costs of wind turbines are also generally low. The only ongoing cost of wind energy is for the maintenance of wind turbines, but that will be taken care of by your local installers.
What is the process of getting a wind turbine?
Getting a wind turbine is easier than it sounds. First, we look into your needs, analyse the infrastructure and specifics of your location and draw up an energy growth plan. If you’re unsure of how windy your area is, we can help you hire an external firm that would carry out an independent wind resource evaluation. Once you’ve made up your mind, the turbine is installed, set up, started and monitored. All of it is carried out by qualified local installers. The turbine will be monitored remotely, so you can plan all your maintenance work ahead.
How long does it take to build a wind turbine?
The exact time of instalment may depend on the permission process, but building and setting up the turbine usually takes around 30 days.
c
Cost
d
Dangers
Why is wind energy better?
Wind energy has numerous benefits. It’s renewable, environmentally friendly and, unlike most non-renewable energy sources, completely free. Anyone can make use of the wind and it will never run out. The running costs of wind turbines are also generally low. The only ongoing cost of wind energy is for the maintenance of wind turbines, but that will be taken care of by your local installers.
What is the process of getting a wind turbine?
Getting a wind turbine is easier than it sounds. First, we look into your needs, analyse the infrastructure and specifics of your location and draw up an energy growth plan. If you’re unsure of how windy your area is, we can help you hire an external firm that would carry out an independent wind resource evaluation. Once you’ve made up your mind, the turbine is installed, set up, started and monitored. All of it is carried out by qualified local installers. The turbine will be monitored remotely, so you can plan all your maintenance work ahead.
How long does it take to build a wind turbine?
The exact time of instalment may depend on the permission process, but building and setting up the turbine usually takes around 30 days.
How much does a wind turbine cost?
The smallest wind power plant (a turbine and a tower) starts from €62,000. The installation process – from signing the contract to setup to first produced kWs – usually takes around 3 to 4 months, but can vary depending on your area and country.
How quickly does a wind turbine pay back?
The payoff of installing a wind turbine depends on several conditions, from the cost of the turbine to how the owner decides to use it. Nevertheless, according to our practice, a wind turbine typically pays off in about 7 years of use. And it’s even less if you receive a subsidy.
Can I get a bank loan for a wind turbine?
Yes, financing your wind turbine with a bank loan is normal practice. We will draw up a wind business plan so you can get a good deal.
Can a wind turbine be dangerous to people or animals?
Wind turbines are a very safe power generation solution. Professional installers will make sure that all necessary safety devices are in place and the turbine will be monitored remotely, so you can request maintenance ahead of time.
Do wind turbines kill birds?
There’s a common misconception that wind turbines kill birds. However, studies show that many more birds die colliding with cars and buildings than because of turbine blades.
e
Efficiency
f
Funding
How is the efficiency of a wind turbine ensured?
A wind turbine rotates according to the direction of the wind. In this way it can convert over 50 percent of wind energy into electricity.
How can I get money to fund my wind turbine?
Wind turbine financing opportunities are increasing as the industry starts to take off. Check if you are eligible for a subsidy. We can also draw up a wind business plan for you to take to your bank and inquire about a loan.
g
Grid
h
Hurricanes
How is the efficiency of a wind turbine ensured?
A wind turbine rotates according to the direction of the wind. In this way it can convert over 50 percent of wind energy into electricity.
How can I get money to fund my wind turbine?
Wind turbine financing opportunities are increasing as the industry starts to take off. Check if you are eligible for a subsidy. We can also draw up a wind business plan for you to take to your bank and inquire about a loan.
My home is not connected to the electricity grid. What should I do?
If you need electricity in a location not serviced by a utility, a wind turbine is a great option. Installing batteries will be necessary to level out supply and demand.
Can I sell excess energy back to the grid if my wind turbine is connected to it?
Yes, it is a usual practice. You can buy the energy from the grid if your wind turbine isn’t generating the amount of energy needed at that moment and sell it if you’re generating more than you consume.
How much can I earn selling electricity back to the grid?
You should check your local electricity buyer prices. If you are using up 2600 kWh of electricity per month, you can sell the rest of the energy back to the grid. This would earn you about 100.000 Euros in 20 years.
Can I use a wind turbine if my area is in a hurricane danger zone?
Yes, we’ve got you covered. Our wind turbine is designed to brake if the wind becomes too strong, preventing it from damages. However, we strongly recommend consulting your local installer and considering a damage insurance just in case.
i
Insurance
j
Jamming
Can I insure my wind turbine?
Yes, once you get a turbine installed, you can insure it for damages, fire or loss of production. Ask your preferred insurance company about the options they offer.
What if my wind turbine jams?
It’s very unlikely that your turbine will stop for no reason. Our turbines have automatic brakes installed to make sure they’re not damaged in cases of sudden strong winds. If your turbine stopped running, try turn it off and on again. Still nothing? Call up your local installers to come take a look.
k
Kilowatts
l
Location
Can I insure my wind turbine?
Yes, once you get a turbine installed, you can insure it for damages, fire or loss of production. Ask your preferred insurance company about the options they offer.
What if my wind turbine jams?
It’s very unlikely that your turbine will stop for no reason. Our turbines have automatic brakes installed to make sure they’re not damaged in cases of sudden strong winds. If your turbine stopped running, try turn it off and on again. Still nothing? Call up your local installers to come take a look.
How much electricity does a wind turbine make?
A small wind turbine generates up to 76.000 kWh/year at 6,5 m/s wind. It’s enough to power 3 to 5 medium-sized houses.
How do I know if my location is windy enough?
The wind resource can vary significantly over an area of just a few kilometres because of local terrain influences on the wind flow. The minimum wind speed for a small wind turbine to work should be around 2 m/s. To check approximate wind speed at your location go to www.windy.com. We can also help you schedule an external firm that will carry out an independent wind evaluation on your site.
m
Maintenance
n
Noise
Do I need to care after the wind turbine?
To make sure you continue to enjoy your wind turbine, we’re monitoring it remotely on our end. You will still need to arrange routine checks, but they’ll be carried out by your local installer.
What if the turbine stops unexpectedly?
You can restart the wind turbine by switching it off and then turning it back on again. If it still refuses to work, please contact your local installer.
Does the wind turbine make noise?
Mill&Gale turbines are very quiet, with sound levels usually below that of typical ambient noise in the home. Measured sound levels from wind turbines depend on several factors, including weather conditions, local topography, the particular turbine being used, distance between the turbine and the listener, local vegetation, and even the time of day and time of year.
o
Operation
p
Permissions
Do I need to care after the wind turbine?
To make sure you continue to enjoy your wind turbine, we’re monitoring it remotely on our end. You will still need to arrange routine checks, but they’ll be carried out by your local installer.
What if the turbine stops unexpectedly?
You can restart the wind turbine by switching it off and then turning it back on again. If it still refuses to work, please contact your local installer.
Does the wind turbine make noise?
Mill&Gale turbines are very quiet, with sound levels usually below that of typical ambient noise in the home. Measured sound levels from wind turbines depend on several factors, including weather conditions, local topography, the particular turbine being used, distance between the turbine and the listener, local vegetation, and even the time of day and time of year.
Is taking care of a wind turbine a lot of work?
Your hassle ends once you choose a turbine and schedule for it to be installed. Our wind turbines require minimum maintenance and even when they do, all maintenance work is carried out by local installers.
Do I need a special permission to build a wind turbine on my property?
You might need to apply for a planning permission from your local authority to add a domestic wind turbine to your site. Don’t worry – your local installer will help sort everything out.
q
Quality
r
Requirements
Is Mill&Gale wind turbine any better than others?
Not all wind turbines are created equal. We specifically chose to manufacture our wind turbines in Europe so we could assure they are of the highest quality. This means you get a turbine that will be powerful, require less maintenance and last longer.
What are the basic requirements for a wind turbine?
You are ready to make the most of the wind if you have at least 10×10 meters of easily accessible land area which is free from obstacles, not surrounded by tall objects and is minimum 80 meters away from the buildings. You should also have an electrical grid connection nearby.
s
Solar vs wind
t
Turbine
Is Mill&Gale wind turbine any better than others?
Not all wind turbines are created equal. We specifically chose to manufacture our wind turbines in Europe so we could assure they are of the highest quality. This means you get a turbine that will be powerful, require less maintenance and last longer.
What are the basic requirements for a wind turbine?
You are ready to make the most of the wind if you have at least 10×10 meters of easily accessible land area which is free from obstacles, not surrounded by tall objects and is minimum 80 meters away from the buildings. You should also have an electrical grid connection nearby.
Why should I choose wind energy over solar?
The main benefit of choosing wind over solar for your home is that wind turbines can generate power 24 hours a day since they aren’t dependent on sunlight. Wind is considered more efficient than solar because these systems use less energy, release no carbon dioxide and produce more overall power. A single wind turbine can generate the same amount of electricity in kWh as thousands of solar panels.
How tall is the wind turbine tower?
A wind turbine tower is 24 or 30 meters tall, depending on the model you choose. The rotor diameter is 14,2 meters.
Why does a wind turbine have two blades instead of three?
We worked hard to design an affordable wind turbine that is as effective as a three-bladed one. As blades are one of the most expensive parts, opting for two helped us cut our prices significantly. We’re currently working on a three-bladed model and we’re excited to give you even more power for less money in the near future.
u
User guidance
v
Voltage
Will I need special knowledge to operate a wind turbine?
You won’t get a phonebook-sized user manual with your new turbine. All of the installing and maintenance will be taken care of by professionals. All you’ll have to do is enjoy it. And if any questions arise, you can always drop us a message.
Do wind turbines produce DC or AC current?
Our wind turbines produce 400 V three-phase electric power directly from the generator.
w
Warranty
x
Xray
Will I need special knowledge to operate a wind turbine?
You won’t get a phonebook-sized user manual with your new turbine. All of the installing and maintenance will be taken care of by professionals. All you’ll have to do is enjoy it. And if any questions arise, you can always drop us a message.
Do wind turbines produce DC or AC current?
Our wind turbines produce 400 V three-phase electric power directly from the generator.
What kind of warranty do you offer?
Your new wind turbine comes with a 2-year warranty. However, if the wind isn’t friendly to your turbine at some point, we will take care of the damage and fix all the issues.
What’s inside a wind turbine?
Since everything is taken care of by professionals, there will be no need for you to have an in-depth understanding of how a turbine works. However, we know you’re curious so here’s what the inside of a Mill & Gale turbine looks like.
y
Years of life
z
Zero emission
How long does a wind turbine last?
A turbine that’s well taken care of should last you approximately 20 years. Our turbines are manufactured in Europe and monitored remotely to schedule on-time maintenance. This means you will be able to enjoy your turbine for years to come.
Is wind energy environmentally friendly?
The great thing is that electricity produced from wind power does not add any greenhouse gasses to the environment. Using wind power means you’re significantly reducing the need for other more expensive or environmentally damaging forms of generation. And that’s something you can feel good about every day.
Since everything is taken care of by professionals, there will be no need for you to have an in-depth understanding of how a turbine works. However, we know you’re curious so here’s what the inside of a Mill & Gale turbine looks like.