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  1. Welcome to Planning Portal
  2. Planning
  3. Sustainability and planning
  4. Home energy generation
  5. Wind Turbines

Home energy generation

Wind Turbines
  1. Introduction
  2. Solar Electricity (Photovoltaics)
  3. Wind Turbines
  4. Solar Thermal (Water Heating)
  5. Heat pumps
  6. Hydro electricity
  7. Biomass
  8. Micro combined heat and power
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Wind Turbines

Small scale wind turbines use the wind's lift forces to turn aerodynamic blades that turn a rotor which creates electricity.

Individual turbines vary in size and power output from a few hundred watts to 2 or 3 megawatts. As a guide, a typical domestic system would be 2.5 to 6 kilowatts, depending on the location and size of the home.

Please note that the electricity generated at any one time by a wind turbine is highly dependent on the speed and direction of the wind.

If you are in any doubt about the suitability of your proposed site, please consult a suitably qualified professional.

For more on how wind turbines work, suitable siting, connection to the grid, costs, maintenance and other considerations see the Energy Saving Trust information page.1

View information on the planning and building regulations regimes covering wind turbines in our common projects section2.

Other Links

  • Planning Practice Guidance: Renewable and low carbon energy3
  • The National Energy Foundation4
  • Renewables UK: Small & Medium Wind5

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    1. https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewable-energy/electricity/wind-turbines
    2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/wind-turbines/planning-permission-introduction
    3. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy
    4. http://www.nef.org.uk/
    5. https://www.renewableuk.com/page/WindEnergy

    Disclaimer

    This is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. Guidance is based on national rules, but additional local rules may also affect what permissions are needed. You should check if this is the case before applying or starting work.
    Guidance here relates to the planning regime for England, the policy in Wales may differ. If in doubt contact your local planning authority. Please note, local authorities may charge a fee for pre-application advice.
    Read our full disclaimer1.

    1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/terms-and-disclaimer/terms-and-conditions

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