How is a wind turbine installed?
The length and complexity of the installation process depends upon the size and type of wind turbine. Prior to any installation it is necessary to commission a technical survey of your site and monitor local windspeeds over a period of time (at least 3 months).
Wind Turbine Project Stages Chart
For the final stage of the process, installation will comprise at least the following steps:
Foundation preparation and installation
Depending on the size and type of turbine system, this may require heavy machinery such as an excavator and crane. It is usually necessary to wait for a period of at least 2 weeks after the laying of foundations in order to allow the concrete base to cure. If a building-mounted system is being installed, it may be necessary to have your property’s roof strengthened so that it can bear the weight of the turbine.
Digging of trenches
Trenches need to be dug for the electrical cables which run from the turbine to the control unit and inverter.
Erection of tower and turbine
Depending on the turbine size, this may require use of a crane.
An electrical engineer or electrician will connect the wind turbines DC output to the control box and then the inverter. The AC output from the inverter will be connected to your property’s electricity supply and the electricity grid. Other electrical components such as isolators are installed for safety, and an Ofgem-approved generation meter will be placed after the inverter.
Connection to electricity grid
In order to connect the wind turbine system to the grid, your installer will liaise with your local District Network Operator (DNO).
Final checks
Your installer should perform final electrical safety and performance checks before commissioning the system, and provide you with the necessary documentation (manuals, warranties, maintenance information).
MCS registration
The installer should also register your turbine system with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which will provide you with the certificate needed to apply for Feed-in Tariff generation and export payments.