3.  Having a grid tie installation is a fairly simple, battery less way of producing and using your own power  Any power that you do not use will be exported to the grid for others to use  In certain circumstances you may be paid for the power you produce, even if you use it yourself…. This is known as Feed in Tariff  There are wrinkles involved in this approach, namely the equipment you use has to be certified as MCS approved and installed by similarly approved installers (although this is no guarantee of quality or training)

4.  Because of the extremely high cost (in excess of £80,000) of putting renewable energy equipment through this certification process, it is not economically viable to put small wind turbines etc through certification  Hence the 1kW Airforce1 cannot be used for Feed in Tariff. Although it can be grid connected and you will probably use all the power it produces, so you are not adding to your electricity bill!

5.  1kW Airforce1 grid tied

6.  The Airforce 10 is currently undergoing the MCS approval regime, so will be eligible for the FIT in the very near future when completed  This turbine is cutting edge technology, developed and built in house by FuturEnergy

8.  You are (theoretically) allowed to export up to 3.6kW/16A into any one phase of the Grid under a G83 Notice (however I know of 6kW Proven Turbines having been connected into a single phase under G83!) If you happen to have 3 phase power, you can use 2 or 3 phases (10.8kW)  Any more than that and you have to apply for a G59 connection, which is technically more involved and expensive, you are then classed as a “Generator”. Your installation will be inspected by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). They may insist on installing their own Grid Disconnect Relay

9.  You will have seen the burgeoning growth of roofs in your local area getting covered by solar panels  There has been a revolution recently due to the amount of FIT given to early solar installations, which has caused it’s own problems  The problem is that these systems have been sold in the same way double glazing was sold some years ago, everyone and their uncle has been jumping on the bandwagon, becoming installers, sellers etc. There is no guarantee that the system you are buying is of high quality & fitment, as it is fairly easy to get the MCS accreditation for installers… which attracts the inevitable cowboys – beware!  It will be interesting to see how many of these companies are still in business in a few years!