Wind industry adopts new standards

The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) has launched a new Small Wind Turbine (SWT) performance and safety standard.

The standard will allow consumers, wishing to install small wind systems, to compare products on a like for like basis. It a result of extended testing of turbines in operational conditions.

Consumers will be able to compare power outputs and noise, and have assurance of quality, as to pass the standard turbines would have had to exceed over 2000 hours of testing.

'The publication of the new BWEA Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard demonstrates that the UK small wind industry is committed to transparency, customer satisfaction and safety standards,' said Alex Murley, BWEA small systems manager.

The standard is linked to the government managed Micro-generation Certification Scheme.

'This standard goes further than any other national document in defining noise parameters, to help prevent nuisance,'  Murley added.