Question

Discuss the factors which determine the size and the location of such a wind turbine.

Answer 1

The factors most likely to affect turbine location are:

Optimisation of energy production,Visual influence,Noise and  Turbine loads.

The first task is to define the constraints on the development:

Maximum installed capacity

Site boundary

'Set back’ - distances from roads, dwellings, overhead lines, ownership boundaries and so on;

Environmental constraints;

Location of noise-sensitive dwellings, if any, and assessment criteria;

Location of visually-sensitive viewpoints, if any, and assessment criteria;

Location of dwellings that may be affected by ‘shadow flicker’ when the sun is in particular directions, and assessment criteria;

Turbine minimum spacings, as defined by the turbine supplier

Constraints associated with communications signals