B&Q Wind Turbines (Merged Thread)

Graham1

Yes, power from the wind varies with the cube of the wind speed. Almost all residential homes are in unsuitable locations for wind power. Only people living in extreme locations (tops of hills where there is strong wind etc.) could possibly benefit from such systems.

wowsavings

Surely having a wind turbine is not so much about saving money but saving the planet!

worto03

Surely having a wind turbine is not so much about saving money but saving the planet!

true but very few people feel strongly enough about the problems we are causing to the planet to throw away a £1500.

We need to get to the point where people benefit from change quickly to make them make the changes that need to be made.

As soon as the breakeven point comes much closer to 5 years the masses will start to go for it.

worto.

wowsavings

Good point. At the moment, saving the planet is not for the average person, but those that are deeply passionate or have the money to play with. Not saying that the 'average person' doesn't care, just that there is either a cost involved with wind turbines, or lifestyle changes with other planet saving practices.

The government needs to do something here to make the whole concept a lot more viable on a grand scale!

lemontart

I popped into the store and asked about planning permission and was told that I needed to contact my local one regarding that, also if you buy it instore the price includes fitting whereas it is extra if you buy it online....so I am told

Beth
xx

Skiduck

wowsavings wrote:

Good point. At the moment, saving the planet is not for the average person, but those that are deeply passionate or have the money to play with. Not saying that the 'average person' doesn't care, just that there is either a cost involved with wind turbines, or lifestyle changes with other planet saving practices.

The government needs to do something here to make the whole concept a lot more viable on a grand scale!

It will happen, next years White paper will dictate that every new build will have to have 20% sustainability - this will be the start, probably solar panels fitted on all new builds or rainwater harvesting in some plots.
Once this starts, costs will slowly decrease and it will spiral down. Take Japan and China where you can buy a solar panel system for £200 (UK is about £1500) without installation, -economies of scale.
The government do need to take a firm hand on this though to bring sustainables to an economic dangling of a carrot - as you say, a payback of 5 years (that's around a good estimate of some peoples minimum occupation of a house.)
Current paybacks are between 10 and 30 years depending on various factors that have been discussed in many threads.

[Deleted User]

Leaving aside the environmental and cost considerations for a moment,two things occurred to me

1) Was it just the mock-up, or will they have 'B & Q' plastered all over them?
2) Will planning permission be required?

From an aesthetic viewpoint I quite like them, but my wife hates them!

oldwiring

wowsavings wrote:

Surely having a wind turbine is not so much about saving money but saving the planet!

A valid point, but there is the good use of your money factor, Seeing the arguments in the banking section about chargees I cannot avoid thinging that many would extend the payback time becos of the charges they would incur:eek:

Ken68

At £200, importing from China or Japan sounds economical.

Skiduck

Ken68 wrote:

At £200, importing from China or Japan sounds economical.

I haven't investigated this yet, but there is obviously shipping and taxes involved - I'll find out in the next few months though.