Government Incentives and Rebates

On the 26 February 2010 the Australian Government announced proposed amendments to the Renewable Energy Target  (RET) scheme effective from 1 January 2011.

The Government has announced that small-scale solar PV, wind and hydro electricity systems will be able to receive ‘Solar Credits’ once the expanded national RET scheme legislation passes through Parliament and the required regulations come into force. Solar Credits is a mechanism under the expanded RET scheme which multiplies the number of RECs able to be created for eligible installations of small-scale renewable energy systems. Those wishing to create Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) for systems installed on or after 9 June 2009 may choose to apply for RECs under the current deeming arrangements and apply later for the additional Solar Credits when invited by the ORER. Alternatively, they may choose to delay their application until the Solar Credits regulations are in place.

RECs - renewable energy certificates

One REC is equivalent to one megawatt hour of electricity generated. A renewable energy certificate can be traded for cash or discount at point of sale and the value of these certificates fluctuates according to market conditions.

By taking advantage of Renewable Energy Certificates, a substantial amount of money can be saved when you buy wind and solar power equipment!

RECs and the Solar Credits scheme

The Australian government recently launched the Solar Credits scheme for grid connect and off grid wind and solar power systems.

The Solar Credits program is based on the Renewable Energy Certificate system, but with a certificate multiplier incentive offering up to 5 times the usual number of RECs issued for solar and or wind power systems up to 1.5kW.

An example of the number of RECs obtainable when purchasing solar and wind products with different power outputs is as follows :

New breeds of small scale or residential wind turbines

Basically there are 2 types of wind turbine; the more conventional horizontal axis "propeller" type (HAWT) and the vertical axis (VAWT)  alternative of which there are a few variations.
Based on your site a decision will have to be made as to the type of wind turbine required.
Due to the physical nature of wind power generation, wind turbine is better suited to rural environments or rural residential situations where installation of towers, turbine noise, perceived threat or aesthetics will not impact upon immediate neighbors.

However there are new breeds of residential wind power generators or small scale wind systems suited to urban environments. Much experimentation and design work has been done by commercial manufacturers of residential rooftop wind power systems based on vertical axis designs that provide good ideas for home made wind turbines that could work in urban situations.

Horizontal Axis vs Vertical Axis Wind Generators

Conventional horizontal axis wind generators need very "clean" undisturbed airflow. In general horizontal axis wind generators need to be at least 6 meters above all obstacles within 100 meters.

Turbulent wind causes horizontal axis wind turbines to "hunt" as they constantly seek to realign themselves to face the wind. The gyroscopic forces involved in moving the rotating blade "disc" are enormous, causing fatigue and premature failure. They simply do not perform well in turbulent wind.

If you have an ideal wind site where installation of a tall tower is appropriate the choice of a conventional horizontal axis wind generator is obvious. To date, horizontal axis turbines are the most efficient turbines for "ideal" wind sites.

Vertical axis wind generators on the other hand are always aligned correctly to the wind. The design allows the turbine to accept energy from wind at any angle (on the horizontal plane) and for this reason are superior on many sites despite their lower efficiency. While "clean" non turbulent air flow is still best, vertical axis wind generators are able to make the most of sites that are less than ideal. 
The main advantages of this arrangement are that the turbine does not need to be pointed into the wind to be effective. This is an advantage on sites where the wind direction is highly variable.

•  A massive tower structure is less frequently used, as VAWTs are more frequently mounted with the lower bearing mounted near the ground.
•  Designs without yaw mechanisms are possible with fixed pitch rotor designs.
•  The generator of a VAWT can be located nearer the ground, making it easier to maintain the moving parts.
•  VAWTs have lower wind startup speeds than HAWTs. Typically, they start creating electricity at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).
•  VAWTs may be built at locations where taller structures are prohibited.
•  VAWTs situated close to the ground can take advantage of locations where mesas, hilltops, ridgelines, and passes funnel the wind and increase wind velocity.
•  VAWTs may have a lower noise signature

Grid Connect Small Sale Wind Turbines

Energy Ball V200

This turbine that is fully made in the Netherlands, one of the world leaders in wind technology. This is a dedicated grid tie unit. It has a sophisticated inverter allowing it to perform to it’s maximum in various wind conditions. The Energy Ball is designed to offset or cover a major component of your household or business energy requirements making significant savings The Energy Ball is a silent and powerful machine that is well suited to an urban environment particularly with its stylish innovative appearance. When rotating the Energy Ball appears to wildlife as a solid spinning sphere. The manufacturers are just completing Australian certification of the sophisticated inverter. Again this turbine has it’s own dedicated inverter which optimises the power output of the turbine in a sophisticated manner.

Design Features
Maximum power rating is 2250 Watts. The turbine has a power cut in wind speed of 3 m/s (10.8 km/h). The unique spherical design compacts the turbine to a rotor diameter of 1.98 meters, yet has a rotor surface area of 3.8m2. The Energy Ball sports 5 unique blades made from reinforced polyester glass fibre. The turbine has a minimum life expectancy of 15 years continued operation. The innovative design allows for self yawing during periods of high winds with other internal braking mechanisms.

The V200 comes as a complete kit with the turbine, inverter and tower.

*available on installed Energy Ball V200 Turbine after 1 July 2009. See the Renewable Energy Certificate page for more information.

The Rewind Energy 5kw Wind Turbine will produce around $39,000 of electricity over 15 years. It could make you a gain of over $25,000 with the help of Government rebates and incentive.

Based only on an average wind speed of 5.5m/s and a electricity price of $0.20 per kw.
The more electricity goes up, the more you save!

CURRENT PRICING INCLUDES:

• 5kw Rewind Energy Wind Turbine
• 8 metre Galvanised Tilt Lift Tower
• 1 x 600V Protection Box
• 1 x Load Resistor
• 1 x 6kw Grid Connect Inverter
• Full Installation*
• Complete Connection to the Grid*
• 3 Year Warranty on Turbine, Tower and Installation
• 5 Year Warranty on the Inverter