Site self assessment...

Before ordering your Swift we recommend that you consider the following factors:

• Do I have a suitable wind resource?
  You can use the NOABL wind speed database to check the annual average wind speed (AAWS) at 10 metres above ground level in your area. NOABL Wind Speed database.
  
  Instructions on how to use the database are available on the BWEA site.
  It is important to note that the Noabl database works on estimates with an approximation area of 1km. You should be aware that it does not take in to account other factors such as trees, hills, dips and other obstructions. Therefore although Noabl is useful as a guideline, it may not necessarily reflect the true annual average wind speed at your site.
  
  
  • An annual average wind speed of 6m/s or greater is excellent
  • An annual average wind speed of 4m/s to 6m/s or greater is good
  • If your site has an 4m/s or less, you can still generate energy from your SWIFT but longer payback periods can be expected. Use the chart below to look up your expected generation. It may be worth monitoring your wind speed with an anemometer over the course of a year to accurately measure the wind resource for your location.
  
  
  Use the graph below to estimate your annual generation using your NOABL wind speed: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Are there any local obstructions?
  Are there any obstacles, buildings, trees etc that might obstruct the wind flow to my turbine? Your Swift wind turbine should be sited above the height of any local obstructions.
  
  • If there are no obstructions, then this is ideal
  • If there are obstructions at the height of, or above the turbine, then you need to decide if they are too close... As a general rule of thumb: The obstruction should be 10 times as far as it is higher than the turbine. e.g. If the obstruction extends 10m above the Swift, then it should be 100m away.
    

• Is there an appropriate location?
  When choosing a location to install the Swift it is important to put it as high up as possible on the prevailing wind side of your property. There are two ways of mounting the turbine on your property; wall mounting, or flat roof mounting.
  • For wall mounting you need a wall space 3 metres high and 0.5m wide on the prevailing wind side of your building. The Swift will be mounted on a 5m mast. At least 1.5m of which should be above your roof line.
  • For flat roof mounting, you need an area of flat roof at least 1m x 1m near the prevailing wind side of your property.
  
  Once you have identified the best location, you need to ensure that we are able to access it using a small lifter or scaffold. Locations that are hard to access can often incur extra cost for the hire of specialist access equipment.
  
  You also need to consider where to put the electronic control system. The electronic control system will go inside your building and provides readouts about how much electricity your Swift wind turbine has generated. It looks very much like a large iPod and is about 45cm tall, 30cm wide and 10cm deep.
  
  The electronic control system needs to be connected to both the Swift wind turbine and the distribution board of your electricity supply.

• How Strong is My Building?
  
• It is important to determine that you building is structurally suitable for the installation of a Swift. Not all properties are suitable, and during the site assessment, we will assess the structural suitability of your property. As a rule of thumb, the following building types are usually suitable:
  • Stone
  • Double skin brick (including cavity wall types)
  • Concrete
  • Steel
  
  Other building types are often unsuitable, but can usually be made suitable with some building modifications:
  • Timber
  • Single skin brick
  • Glass
  • Straw - beware of the big bad wolf!

• Planning, neighbours and your local environment
  • It is still necessary to seek planning permission for wind turbines and regulations from council to council vary, so please consult your local planning office.
  • Inform your neighbours of your plans. Give them as much detail about the Swift as possible.
  • The RSBP have data that show that there is no evidence that wind turbines impact on bats or birds, however when deciding where to site a turbine, care should be taken that to ensure that the turbine is not sited on a flight path to a bird nest or bat roost.
    Due to the distinctive diffuser ring, the Swift turbine is more visible to both bats and birds than any other turbine.