Only if you have a boat out in the dark. Wind turbines are a cost effective way of producing power for a large part of the year. I tried about a year ago to get a turbine up for some people, there is 8 house's in this area all bar one was up for a single turbine to share the electric. An old lady who had a gold plated wooden spoon when it can to trouble nobody liked her, but she killed the project. I am not against solar panel's but in the winter the sun is not so good for running them when we need the most power for light and heat, and in large area'a of this country hydro electric is not an option. So for the government to make it's target we have to look at this much more sensibly. Oh and as a foot note the old lady could only see the turbine from inside her house if she opened the toilet window which was frosted glass.

Yes it will be interesting. I really should get involved more with this noise monitoring as I like the kit that is used and the statistics that is used to analysis it all. I do get confused with all the different ways to measure and the legislation behind it all. With I had Ted's ability (from now on I shall think Tedipedia) to be able to remember which page something was on

Ted, the quote is from CCC Committee report dated 20/11/2012 regarding the Llanllwni wind farm;

"10.8 The applicant has submitted information which demonstrates that ETSU noise levels can be complied with. However, recent experience has demonstrated that compliance with the ETSU limits does not necessarily result in the prevention of noise disturbance from the wind farm development. Introducing ETSU compliant wind turbine generators into an area of low background noise has resulted in complaints being made to the Council from Alltwalis wind farm which is in close proximity to the proposed site.

10.9 UDP Policies UT5 (Renewable Energy), UT6 (Wind Turbines) and UT12 (Pollution) contain provisions to safeguard the amenities of residents and the area, in that turbines should not cause significant adverse harm in terms of noise and nuisance. Therefore proposals could comply with the ETSU guidance but fail to comply with the provisions of the UDP.

10.10 There is a prospect that some dwellings in the vicinity of the site will experience wind farm noise under certain conditions, however, the applicant has reduced the night time lower absolute noise limit to 40dB, as requested by the Council. This is a lower noise limit than the Alltwalis turbines have to comply with – which has a night time noise limit of 43dB. This is the upper value as advocated by ETSU, however, by lowering the proposed limits to 40dB the applicant has attempted to reduce noise emission impacts of the turbines upon the amenities of neighbours at night time. It is considered that this will ensure compliance with the above mentioned UDP policies and afford greater protection of residential amenities, to the extent that they will have their amenities significantly harmed."

djh- Colour is relevant, whilst most turbines are off white, largely to reflect solar absorption (if they were black they would absorb too much heat causing differential expansion), they need to be seen by other users of that space - I'm talking any aircraft be it microlight or helicopter etc.
Most, if not all, aircraft flying at lower level do so by sight, if a turbine was so well designed as to be difficult to see by those in the country side, then expect light aircraft to be found at the base of turbines along with all those bats! Oh sorry, bats have sonar so can see them even in the dark.

Not sure regarding colour but how close is your turbine to the house wont the distance be far for thermal solar?

Can someone tell me if there is an official definition for a low wind speed area in England?

I recall reading somewhere that <6m/s is considered a low wind speed area but at what height is that measured? I mean 5m/s at 10m will translate into >6m/s at 30m and even more at 80m-125m?

You can't second guess a Planner - one will recommend (prefer) one thing, another another. I was once asked to paint a landfill gas incinerator chimney black to be less intrusive than the dull galvanised finish. It was 10m x 1m. The manufacturer laughed and said the paint would cost an extra £15k and last 5 minutes. Solution = I did a photoshop of the existing grey, then a black one, and took them to show to the near neighbours - everyone wanted the grey, planner had second thoughts.
Similar with my Gaia - planners wanted a tube tower - no other reason but he preferred them. I got permission for the lattice and it is clearly evident to all around that the lattice is less intrusive than the tube. I can stand at mine and see 5 tube towers but when I stand at those tube towers I can only see my blades (if they're moving). I just think those others couldn't be bothered to argue their case and had an extra few thousand pounds to waste!
Each case is different and it's up to you to argue it's merits.

It will depend where the Members live.

If not in sight of their own homes they will go for the solar panels.

Why not do the Orange Mast thing and have one that looks like a Lombardy Poplar?

Ferdinand

Do both

Went to our parish council planning meeting as a 50kw wind turbine was on the agenda. Could not believe it two of the anti turbine brigade owned a 20kw and 5kw. Apparently there worried if this turbine was approved there turbines would no longer be within the noise limits and would have to be removed.

It gets even more absurd in respect of the local 500kw turbine which was up for appeal has now turned into a full blown public enquiry. This in a location where two miles down the road is 12 x 1.5 MW turbines and 5 miles in the other direction is 26 x 1.5 MW turbines.

<blockquote><cite>Posted By: gustyturbine</cite>What 500 kW turbines are these?</blockquote>

No actual turbine specified only 500kw on 40.7 mtr mast and 23.5 mtr blades.

The specific turbine was mentioned on the previous application prior to it being withdrawn. I think they must of had advice that submitting an application for a 800kw turbine downgraded to 500kw might prove more difficult than going for a generic 500kw. I completely agree with you Windy how they expect to get it passed without specific noise data is beyond belief but the advisors are a national company advertising in the farming press so you would hope they would know what there doing.

Posted By: joe90which I recon will give us light flicker late in the day during winter

Only when it is not cloudy, which I think is for 2 days

Have you started building yet or you still getting the caravan level?

Cornwall is a good idea. If we get enough rain this winter your caravan may float over the border. Have you though of making a lake and putting a houseboat on it.

Ask for that new turbine to be pointing your way when it is running off the grid, that should blow the damp out

Can you make the pond at least 80 foot long and 4 foot deep, I want to to make my lodger a narrowboat.