A question about : Sun and Wind Power
I am starting a new adventure....ie we are moving to a smallholding in a rural area, and would have the opportunity to install solar panels as well as a small wind turbine set up (good average annual wind speed).
I have read up on PV panels and the FITS and would like to have a 4kW system installed on our south facing unobstructed roof.
Subject to what the planning authorities say, I am looking into one of the small wind turbines, one of which I have seen, being a small 3 wind turbine system on the one 10m pole, giving an estimated 4kW set up. This is not an MCS product and I am aware that no FITS payment would be made.
However, is it a possibility that we could use the wind power provided to power our home, ie linked in with the existing electric supply, and use the power generated by the solar panels to generate income via the FITS?
In summary, this would be 2 sources of renewable energy coming into the house, linking into the existing electrical system...using one source of power in the home (from the wind turbines), and exporting what we do not use from the solar panel generation, and getting paid for what they generate.
I realise there is a multitude of electrical equipment involved in this scenario, I am just wondering if it is feasible (and/or possible) to have 2 sources of renewable energy feeding into a domestic property, and using one source, whilst getting paid for the other.
Or, if this just sounds like rubbish, please tell me ! Thanks in (a sort of) anticipation. 
Best answers:
- It doesn't sound like too much of a problem as long as the wind & solar inverters can be tied together with the grid.
You may be better off with an export meter as the actual export is likely to be much higher than the solar deeming.
Payment would be solar FIT from the solar generation meter + export from the export meter.
Interesting project!
(All guesswork) - Hiya. If we split this question into the two elements, and simply assume that the PV will get installed / has been installed.
So ...... the question is, can you add a wind turbine (FiT or not), to your property that already has PV.
Simple answer yes, you'd have a separate inverter for the wind turbine. But ...... if the PV system is 4kWp, running through a 3.68kW capped inverter, then you'll have already used up the automatic DNO approval.
To have more than 3.68kW of potential (even theoretical) export, then you'll need prior approval from the DNO. And whilst the turbine may not be MCS certified, the inverter will (of course) need UK certification, but that's not going to be a problem.
So you probably want to find out what the chances are that you can exceed the 3.68kW limit on your supply.
Mart. - Thanks very much Martyn and Nick, very helpful and food for thought to be going on with...and all these words and phrases, ie solar deeming and DNO to look up!
- Following on from this "possibility"..is there any information anywhere concerning multiple wind microgeneration turbines powering a stand alone heating/hot water system (during cold windy winter months) for a small 2 bedroomed house. (House also fitted with wood stove for added heat)?
Also, regarding this 3.68kW capping, referred to by both Martyn and Nick in previous posts on this thread, does it have any bearing if the wind power is used to power a stand alone system/appliances within a residential property?
These small wind turbines I am looking at are not MCS accredited anyway, so would not be able to receive/look for any income from that at the end of the day, just the leccy !
Little bit confused...... - This is an interesting read by a guy who has written books about living off-grid.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...ergy-companies - Thanks to everyone so far, you have all been very informative and appreciative of my limited knowledge. Now that I have an inkling of what is required I can consult an expert directly and ask all the right questions and understand the replies !
- Solar thermal. If it is done properly you can't beat it!
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