The UK has a very good wind regime and therefore Wind energy has got great potential for the right solutions. There are two main types of technologies for wind generators – horizontal axis (HAWT - conventional wind turbines) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT).

PDR’s main focus at the moment is to provide products for micro-generation – 1kw to 30kw potential output. We offer some conventional systems available now and also two VAWT products currently in development but available later this year. The products we offer are,

• Next Generation (Southwest) – HAWT up to 2kw – established US products, available now
• PDR Wind – VAWT - 1kw – our own product in development, available later in 2010
• UGE – VAWT – 4kw – unique ‘twisted blade design’ US product in final development, available later in 2010

As a guide to some of the simpler points of the technology we have answered some of the more basic questions commonly asked:

What is a wind generator?

The correct term for a wind generator is actually ‘Wind Energy Converter’ and can be best described as a device that converts the potential energy in the wind to another form of energy. This can either be mechanical or electrical.

How does the wind generator work?

When the wind blows, the rotor blade engages with a percentage of it. That percentage is what is converted into energy by the generator. According to physics, the maximum amount of wind energy that can be converted is 59.3%. This is known as the Betz Limit.

I’ve seen lots of different looking designs, which is the best?

There are a number of types of wind generators. In general, both technologies have the potential of being equally efficient. HAWT systems are the most widely used systems and are common throughout the world, however need to be pointing into wind and do not cope very well with turbulent situations such as those found close to housing. VAWT systems can cope better with turbulence and are of course, always pointing into wind so have a good potential for domestic applications.