Power Predictor FAQs

Aren't there other ways to find out this information?  Can't I just use the modelled data online?
There are various ways to calculate the power at your site but they tend to be a lot more expensive and/or a lot less accurate - and the report you receive is less comprehensive.  There are, for instance, very expensive anemometers (in excess of £1000 - and they only measure wind). There are consultants' visits which besides being expensive generally give you only a short-term picture. The usual 'modelled' data - tables based on general weather data for 1 square kilometre chunks -  can't be relied on because no account is taken of local obstructions like trees, hills, tall buildings, etc.

I know someone who had an installer come and calculate the potential of their site.  Isn't that more reliable?
Excluding the cost, which is likely to be several hundred pounds for a few hours of their time, this method is unlikely to include the ongoing analysis which the Power Predictor provides. For example, if the installer visits on a particularly windy day they could overestimate the wind power potential of your site - or underestimate the solar power potential if it's overcast.

Isn't £205.00 a bit expensive for one Power Predictor and one licence?
The Power Predictor is much cheaper than anything similar on the market. It's a fifth of the price of comparable devices and yet it's easier to use and gives you a great deal more information.  That £205 includes the sensor, the data recorder, and a twelve month software license to analyse your data at www.powerpredictor.com.  With the Power Predictor you can unlock the potential of your site and also avoid costly mistakes - it can be all too easy to spend thousands of pounds on renewable energy at an inappropriate site.

How come it's so cheap?
It has taken two years of research and development to get the cost this low.  Better Generation Ltd are long time experts in the wind and solar industries and well experienced in giving independent advice for third party solutions. Developing and realising this low cost and highly accurate site assessment device was a challenge they were well placed to meet.

Do I need planning permission?  Is it an eyesore?
You do not need planning permission to mount the Power Predictor as a temporary structure.  It's a small device - no larger than a rugby ball. Far from being an eyesore, many people see it as a positive lifestyle statement!

Does it take long to install?
Usually it only takes a few minutes to install. (If you're mounting it on a pole it may take a little longer though.)

I already know what the wind speed is in my area.
It may well feel windy where you are, but this 'information' is no firm basis for identifying the correct product for your site. For a start, different wind turbines (with their different start-up and cut-in speeds) are suited to different conditions. When the intelligent online software looks at your annual wind data it knows which type of turbine is appropriate for your site and then it can give you a precise annual energy generation figure. If you ever needed financial backing for getting a wind turbine (or solar panels) it wouldn't be enough to say, 'it's vey windy/very sunny where I live'. Investors will want to see more tangible evidence of the benefits to them.

I can just go on the internet and find data about my area so why would I buy this product?
Online data is provided from modelled sources, and this can give you an inaccurate reading for your site. Modelled data for wind is particularly inaccurate - it's based on a large (1km2) area and it doesn’t consider turbulent objects such as trees or buildings. Modelled data considers the whole world to be flat, which is, of course, not true. For solar, understanding the information you get can be very difficult – the Power Predictor software converts complex technical calculations into easy to understand figures.

What do I do once I’ve finished using the product?
The Power Predictor has been designed to be useful beyond the decision-making process. Many customers continue to use the device to monitor their site and to ensure that their wind turbine or solar panels are working as they are supposed to. A second way of prolonging the Power Predictor's useful life is to pass it on (with a new licence) to someone else.

How long should I record for?
We understand that people have time constraints, and this is why the first Power Report can be generated after only one month’s worth of data. Of course, the longer the recording period the better:  three to six months is a good sound compromise, and the full one year’s worth of data - taking into account all seasonal variations - is optimal.

Why should I buy this product for solar?
Even if your roof is south facing - appears to have the perfect orientation for solar, the effect of shadowing from trees or nearby buildings is not always obvious. And how do you know which size of solar array, or which type of solar panel is best for your site? Different installers will all tell you their panels are the best - but how can you verify that? The Power Predictor will guide your decision by telling youl you the optimum size of solar array for your site so that you don’t (a) underinvest and lose out on income or (b) overinvest and needlessly extend the payback time.

Why shouldn’t I just get a consultant to survey my site?
A consultant will do a survey on maybe one or two different days – these days may be very windy/sunny or very calm/cloudy. How can you base an investment decision on so little information? No consultant can offer you the scope and depth of information that you get from the Power Predictor - which is, apart from anything else, a comparison site for all the products on the market.  Some consultants will have a financial interest in particular products, whereas the Power Predictor is a completely independent tool that gives you all the information you need and lets you make the decision yourself.  And you couldn’t get a consultant to come for £205.00