Power - Our Solution

Being off grid and the power system we inherited being totally inadequate. We decided that the best solution was a wind turbine & better batteries, followed later by solar panels.

In 2006 after doing some research we decided to install a 6kW Proven Wind turbine, batteries and SMA control equipment.

So why in 2006 did we opt for a wind turbine rather than solar? We carried out extensive research before deciding. We did consider solar panels but at that time there were very expensive, although the feed in tariff was 45p per kWh! We decided that the best kW for our buck was a large (for domestic premises) wind turbine. The decision would be different today as the price of solar panels has tumbled. We were early adopters of domestic wind power which bought its own issues. Quite soon after installation I believe I knew more about wind turbines than the installers, and that is not just my normal arrogance!

Driving round the country one does see distinctive Proven wind turbines, but they are not at all common... except in Shetland. We spent 10 days there in May / June 2023 and driving round the islands we saw at least 30.

Andy Hey of Hey Property did a great job of obtaining the appropriate permissions, especially difficult as we are in The Broads conservation area. Bob Coombes and Hugh Keeler of Green Generation sourced and installed the equipment. As of November 2023 the company still exists but they appear no longer to be trading.