Set up your own wind turbine

HOUSEHOLDERS wishing to generate their own electricity, can set up their own turbine.

It is also possible to earn money by selling electricity back to a power supplier. Anyone wishing to set up their own windmill should ask for an application form from their mairie.

Turbines vary in size from a one-metre handheld version to a mast of up to 12 metres and can be purchased from a supplier such as Ecopower.

It is possible to set up a turbine at a holiday rental property where electricity is not being regularly used and sell the electricity to EDF who will buy surplus energy from renewable sources.

Ecopower spokesman Marc Asker (pictured), a Briton living in south-west France, said: “The electricity company will normally enter into a contract for at least 10 years.

“They agree to pay a certain amount per kilowatt hour and the householder buys back what they need.

“If you are consuming all the power yourself you probably couldn't make anything but if you are only in your holiday property for say one month a year, all you would be spending is your energy consumption for those few weeks."

Turbines cost between €600 and €10,000 to set up. This price includes a power converter and batteries which can store power for a two-month period when the wind is less strong.

A battery is normally linked to the householder's electricity supply as a back-up for when wind speeds are lower but battery back-up also provides power in the event of a power cut.

The efficiency of the turbine depends on several factors, according to Mr Asker.

He said: “It depends how well the system is set up, the site location and the local weather conditions.

“I have one turbine at home which has been running 90% of the time for the last 10 days. Over the past three months it has produced power 65% of the time.”

A large plot of land is not needed to set up a turbine and many are attached to the sides of houses.

Mr Asker said: “If you set up the turbine on top of a tower or pole, you will need guide ropes to hold it in place just like a tent.

“A five to six diameter space is needed for the guide ropes, or you could use a self-supporting tower which is like a telegraph pole, fixed in the ground with concrete.”

Turbines can be set up for a wide range of properties.

Mr Asker said: “We have set them up on tents, camper vans and some very nice properties where a large turbine generates most of the power.

“It is important to use a good supplier and know what's involved as turbines which can produce exceptionally high levels of electricity can be dangerous.”

Grants for turbine installation are hard to come by, according to Mr Asker.

“Current tax credits are awarded according to the financial standing of the individual and departmental regulations. You also need to be a permanent resident in France.

“However, all tax credit schemes will finish next year and the environmental agency ADEME is not saying at the moment if others will follow.”

For more information call Mr Asker on 05 53 52 09 65, or visit the Ecopower website.

It is advisable to seek the advice of a supplier regarding the quantity of electricity you would like to obtain, the most suitable turbine for your property and the safe setting up of equipment.