Green Building Forum - Ardeonaig Wind Turbines Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:15:48 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=46333#Comment_46333 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=46333#Comment_46333 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:45:45 +0000 Matt
The turbines were installed in Feb 05 (fairly sure on that....cannot get exact date!), 2no Proven 6kw, about 200m ASL on north slope of a hill on the south shore of Loch Tay. Cost £45,708, including and educational package for those who stay at Ardeonaig Centre and the local villages. Projected savings were IRO £2000 per year.

Since then the output reads 42,378kwh (on centre 'display' board) in the 4years.

Assuming (current, not 2005) cost of 11p per kwh or electricity we have £4661 of savings, or £1165 per year.

The project has a computer 'on' 24/7 to record data and send back to various places / run the display board:

60w load (estimated for computer) X 24 hours a day x 365 days per year X 4 years = 21,024kwH, or £2,312

I don't know the maintenance costs of the turbines.

Is my maths right? :confused:]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=46336#Comment_46336 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=46336#Comment_46336 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:08:57 +0000 StuartB Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=46339#Comment_46339 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=46339#Comment_46339 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:14:25 +0000 stephendv Posted By: Matt
60w load (estimated for computer) X 24 hours a day x 365 days per year X 4 years = 21,024kwH, or £2,312


= 2102.4 kWh decimal point in the wrong place.]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=46377#Comment_46377 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=46377#Comment_46377 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:28:46 +0000 Matt
Better than I was thinking...]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51878#Comment_51878 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51878#Comment_51878 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:49:39 +0100 Matt
I was up this weekend, and in a steady 25mph+ wind, the turbines were barely pushing out 1.5kw average between both of them...

Is there anything that can be done to 'uprate' Proven turbines and improve the output? :neutral:

I also need to balance the fact that they are located in a plot of land that is funded as an ecological research area, and as such new tree growth is being encouraged. The owners assumed that the trees around the base of the mast would have no effect on the wind - as long as the turbines were above, they were in the 'clear' wind. The masts are 10-15m, the highest tree is now up at around 5-7m...So, ecological benefit or more electricity? :confused:
(old pic, not mine)

The inverters are located about 150m from the turbine site as well - may this have an effect on the output?

Finally, what do you do about the installers claiming 24,000kwh output annually when in fact they are pushing out less than half that? grrrrrr.]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51881#Comment_51881 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51881#Comment_51881 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:56:52 +0100 CWatters Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51884#Comment_51884 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51884#Comment_51884 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:16:47 +0100 ted
The distance between turbine and inverters should not be a problem as long as the correct size cable to avoid excessive volt drop has been used.

Presume these have SMA WindyBoy inverters which are not the best to couple with the Proven in low wind situations as they require > 250V output from the turbine before they will draw any load.]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51893#Comment_51893 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51893#Comment_51893 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:34:23 +0100 Matt
Distance / cable - not sure, will find out when I move up in a couple of weeks.

Apparently I can also get the 5 years of data in a graph form so will post it up.]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51942#Comment_51942 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51942#Comment_51942 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:23:27 +0100 chuckey Frank (or 8000 + 10%):-)]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51961#Comment_51961 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51961#Comment_51961 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:55:38 +0100 Moderator Posted By: MattAs of a few weeks time, I am in charge of these babies....


Is there anything that can be done to 'uprate' Proven turbines and improve the output?https:///forum114/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/neutral.gif" alt=":neutral:" title=":neutral:" >



Have they got the new style blades Matt?

Those mountains look a bit high!

My 2.5 with the new style blades is keeping us quite content now. It averaged 'a minimum'* of about 3.5kWh per day from October to February.

*Difficult to measure exactly as i am unable to find a cumulative meter for 24vot DC so have to measure it by deduction.]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51984#Comment_51984 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51984#Comment_51984 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:00:42 +0100 Matt
How much do new blades cost - i.e. is it worth it, especially with the big old tree's around.

Them hills is big - and I am going to have to cycle up one each day...This is the view from the hill behind the turbines - clear wind apart from the last 50m around them....grrr.]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51987#Comment_51987 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=51987#Comment_51987 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:11:00 +0100 bot de paille Posted By: chuckey8760, 8760, 8760 Hours in a year, a good figure to commit to memory for green types.
Frank (or 8000 + 10%):-)


or 10 9 876 5 4 3 2 1 :bigsmile:]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=52117#Comment_52117 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=52117#Comment_52117 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:13:06 +0100 Moderator
I was informed that the new blades for the 2.5 were about £400.00 but give Proven a ring for a quote. I think they must be wooden blades on your machines then if they are 6kW models.

Matt. What voltage are they generating at?

Ted. Are they wood blades on yours or the new ones?]]> Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=52139#Comment_52139 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=52139#Comment_52139 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:39:16 +0100 ted Ardeonaig Wind Turbines https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=52179#Comment_52179 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3505&Focus=52179#Comment_52179 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:50:12 +0100 Matt Posted By: ModeratorWow what a view. the wind must thunder along that valley.

Yes, yes it does. Shame the turbines are in the trees to the left....see attached picture.

Posted By: ModeratorMatt. What voltage are they generating at?


Will report back - I assumed mains....but assumption is a dangerous thing...]]>