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Q. My average wind speed is only 8mph, according to your performance figure even your most powerful turbine is only producing 10watts, it doesn`t add up.
A. To create an average wind speed you add all the variants together and divide by the time. So lets say you have 3 days of zero wind, on the 4th day its blowing 32mph, that still gives you an average of 8mph, but in that stormy day you have produced 800watts an hour all day long, divide that by 4 and you get an average power output of 200watts not 10 watts an hour. So average wind speeds are not that important. The important thing with wind turbines is energy storage. Every time you double your wind speed you can multiply your power output by 4, that is why wind power makes so much sense.
The less your average wind speed the more batteries you need, it`s as simple as that.
Q.What components will I need to get the S.E.T up and running?
A. For a small house we recommend,
One 50cm turbine,
One 60amp load controller
As many batteries as you can get, you can always add more
A sine wave inverter big enough to suit your need (1000 watt is probably the best)
A mains change over switch to connect to the circuit.
We can supply you with mains payback inverter upon request
Q. What about installation?
A. We can install the SET for you. The cost of this service will depend upon where you live. Alternatively, we do provide step by step installation instructions for the keen D.I.Y enthusiast, or you could contact your local builder for a quote. You will however need a certified electrician to connect to your mains circuit.
Q. How does the S.E.T compare with photovoltaic solar panels?
A. Photovoltaic solar panels are not as efficient as the S.E.T, although when used in conjunction with the S.E.T, they can serve a useful purpose, in instances where there is no wind and a trickle charge is essential.The fact is, photovoltaic solar panels will never produce as much energy as it takes to build them in the first place, making them carbon negative!
Q. Does the S.E.T require planning consent?
A. You should contact your local planning officer before installation. The S.E.T has been designed to
address the criticisms levelled at the more conventional wind turbines, most notably their unsightliness and
noise pollution. The phrase blot on the landscape springs to mind! Our S.E.T, on the other hand, blends in
with the existing roof furniture, is aesthetically pleasing to look at and crucially, it is silent when
operational! with the relaxation of regulations governing renewables. We don't envisage any problems. In fact, people who have purchased the SET to date and those in the process of doing so, have met with a positive response from their local planning authorities.
Q. Can I install a S.E.T on a new build that doesn't have an existing chimney stack?
A. Yes. You have a choice. We can either supply you with a bespoke dummy chimney stack
(refer to price list on website) or alternatively, it can be fitted directly onto the roof.
Contact a reputable builder for a quote.
Q. Do I need a survey to assess the S.E.T’s viability?
A. If in doubt, have a structural survey carried out on your existing chimney stack.
Q. How reliable is the S.E.T and what is its life expectancy?
A. The overriding design criteria for the S.E.T is reliability. With this in mind, only the most durable
materials are used in its construction. The S.E.T consists of only one moving part, the turbine itself. A 20
year life expectancy is realistic, a rarity in todays throw away society! Remember. if you encounter any
teething problems, we are only a phone call away. We pride ourselves on our design excellence and high
standard of customer service.
Q. What about installation costs and do I need a certified electrician and/or builder to do the job?
A. Installing the S.E.T is very quick and relatively easy to do. A competent do-it-youself enthusiast
should be able to tackle it but you will need a certified electrician to connect the S.E.T to your circuit
board. Fixing the S.E.T to your chimney stack is not complicated and it comes complete with installation
instructions. If you don’t feel confident enough to do it yourself, contact a reputable builder.
Q. Is the S.E.T built to withstand severe weather conditions?
A. Yes. Most definitely! The S.E.T. is a very resilient piece of kit and has been designed to withstand
even the most extreme weather conditions. It is fully insulated against high and low temperatures.
Q. Which turbine should I choose?
A. We calculate that the 400mm S.E.T will be sufficient to produce enough energy to power the entire
lighting circuit of an average household when used in conjunction with low energy bulbs. There are however,
a lot of variables. It really does depend on your individual requirements, but it seems to us to be a
sensible starting point. The option to add more S.E.Ts to power additional household appliances and gadgets
is always there. It seems to us a prudent approach to adopt if you want to minimize your initial financial outlay.
Q. How long will it take to recoup the initial financial outlay?
A. When purchasing your S.E.T, please bear in mind that it is not just about financial payback, but also
your social and moral responsibility to do your bit to save the planet and secure our children’s future.
Remember also that when energy blackouts become a common occurrence, you will be more self sufficient than others. Of course, you will see an immediate reduction in your electricity bill, but realistically, the
payback time will depend upon the size and number of S.E.Ts you have and your local wind conditions.
Q. Are batteries required and if so, what type and how many?
A. Batteries are required to store the energy generated from the S.E.T. We recommend leisure
batteries, 80/110v. The more batteries that you use, the greater your capacity to store energy. We can supply
the batteries and battery connections upon request.
Q. At what wind speed will the S.E.T become operational?
A. The S.E.T becomes operational at wind speeds of approximately 5mph.
Q. Is it possible to sell back energy to the national grid by connecting the S.E.T. to an inverter?
A. Yes and it will become the norm from April 2010 when the government is introducing a Feed-in Tariff. It is presently offering 52p per kilowatt when fed in to the national grid.
Q. If you install a S.E.T to an existing chimney stack, can you still have a working fire?
A. Yes, the product is heat resistant.
Q. Can the S.E.T be installed in any country?
A. Yes, the S.E.T is available for most voltage requirements and we anticipate global demand for the product.
Q. Can you install multiple S.E.Ts and if so, what is the advantage of doing this?
A. The S.E.T is designed to be installed in multiples. The larger the number, the greater the power output!
Your conventional chimney stack will house about 4 300mm S.E.Ts. You can of course erect additional dummy
chimney stacks to house more turbines if you require more power.
Q. When installing a S.E.T, where is the best location for the generator and batteries?
A. The generator and turbine are linked together and become part of the roof furniture. The
controller,batteries and sine wave inverter can be located anywhere indoors or outdoors if encased. The
positioning is a matter of personal choice.
Q. Do you offer a bespoke design, supply and installation service?
A. Yes, we can offer the whole package, tailor made to suit your requirements.
Q. Do you have any brochures on the product?
A. No. As a green company, we are striving to reduce our carbon footprint. It is our aim to minimize paper
usage and to that end, all product information can be found on our website. However a PDF brochure will become available shortly for download..
Q. Can the S.E.T be installed on caravans?
A. Yes,the possibilities are endless. If you need an efficient and reliable energy solution,
then the S.E.T is your answer!
Q. How much power does the S.E.T produce and how does this translate in to powering household appliances, gadgets, lighting etc?
A. Performance figures can be found on our website. But to give you some idea, a 300mm S.E.T would produce
sufficient energy to power an upstairs lighting circuit in an average sized house, a 400mm unit would
generate enough power to run all your upstairs sockets and a 500mm unit would run all your downstairs sockets.
Q. What components will I need to get the S.E.T up and running?
A. You will need a turbine (S.E.T), a generator, a controller, batteries and a sine wave inverter (this
converts 12v into 240v for normal domestic usage) battery/mains changeover switch and a dummy chimney stacks if required . Please refer to diagrammatic flow chart on our website.
Q. Is the S.E.T. restricted to domestic use only?
A. No. Absolutely not! It is not exclusively designed for domestic use, although it is our objective to
get an S.E.T. on everybody’s home! The possibilities are endless. Schools, sport and music venues,
industrial units, road signage, petrol forecourt lighting, oil rig platforms. And so the list goes on. Think
outside the box (grid!) and create your own energy solutions!
Q. Can I qualify for a discount if I purchase multiple S.E.Ts?
A. Yes. A discount of 10% will be offered when 3 or more S.E.Ts are purchased.
Q. Can you give me the dimensions of the SETs?
A. The 30 cm SET is 60 cm (h) x 30 cm (w ) | the 40cm SET is 80cm (h) x 40cm (w) |
the 50 cm SET is 100 cm (h) x 50 cm (w) .
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