Site Assessment

“From start to finish throughout planning, installation and the turbine’s performance afterwards I have been delighted with the Earthmill team” Graeme Fraser, Angus

One of the most important considerations when starting a wind turbine project is choosing the right company to work with. This is essential for both the initial installation phase and (for) throughout the operational lifetime of the turbine. As the UK’s leading wind turbine supplier and installer, our extensive experience allows us to provide an accurate assessment of your site’s potential plus advise on which turbine model might perform best in those conditions.

There are many factors which need to be considered when assessing the suitability and production potential of a site. When we look at a new site we break the process down in to the three key stages detailed below. 

Site assessments are free of charge and do not carry any obligation. You can request a desktop feasibility study here or contact us on 01937 581011.

1. Desktop Feasibility 

The initial feasibility study is conducted without visiting your site and is handled by one of our in-house specialists. Using industry leading software, our office based team of site assessment experts can look at key indicators from the office that will quickly identify whether your site could be suitable for a wind turbine. These indicators include;

• Wind speed – We cross-reference several leading wind databases to establish the wind speed at your site and how this might be affected by topography & turbulence. 
•  Power supply and grid capacity – We have an in-depth understanding of the minefield surrounding connecting a wind turbine to the grid. We have developed close working relationships with all of the distribution network operators (DNOs) in order to identify electrical grid connection potential and associated costs ensuring you get the most cost effective connection solution. 
• Aviation RADAR – Our mapping software allows us to highlight any potential impact a turbine may have on surrounding RADAR equipment. 
• Planning considerations – Our team of qualified planning professionals will check your site against local and national planning constraints.

Site assessments are complimentary and do not carry any obligation. You can request a desktop feasibility study here or contact us on 01937 581011.

2. On Site Assessment

Assuming your site meets the requirements we will arrange for one of our site assessors to visit you in person and evaluate your site. By seeing the site first hand our site assessors can assess the landscape, wind resource and any features likely to create turbulence such as farm buildings or woodland. 

The assessor will come prepared with information from the initial desktop study, annual energy production (AEP) and financial return forecasts. 

3. Planning Feasibility

If you decide you wish to progress with your project, a more in-depth analysis will be performed to identify any constraints that may need to be mitigated in the planning stages. This will ensure that we are in best prepared to submit a successful planning application. The analysis will includes; 

• GIS mapping constraints analysis – Using  state of the art mapping tools, our team will produce a map to assist the siting of a turbine on your land. The map considers separation distances to neighbouring properties, roads, footpaths, bridleways, hedgerows, power lines, gas pipes and watercourses. 
• Civilian and MOD aviation RADARs analysis – Wherever possible, if there is likely to be aviation constraints we will engage with the relevant bodies (such as MOD or NATS) at the earliest opportunity in order to be best prepared to submit a planning application that will be successful. In some instances we will work with specialist third party aviation consultants to identify suitable mitigation.
• Proximity to ecology and ornithology designations – Identification of any potential ecological issues, providing early engagement with statutory bodies such as Natural England or Scottish National Heritage. 
• Local planning authority policy assessment – An assessment of current national, regional and local planning policies such as landscape capacity assessments, typology and supplementary planning guidance relating to wind energy development. 

NEXT STAGE: Planning Permission