Small-scale wind turbine and hydro systems are small generation units that can supply electricity to a home or small business.
Wind turbines use wind to generate electricity. Hydro systems use water to generate electricity. Both can be used to complement solar systems.
About wind turbine systems
A typical wind turbine system is made up of a turbine, tower, controller, grid-connected inverter and meter.
The wind turns the propeller blades of the turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator and creates electricity.
Electricity is stored in batteries for off-grid wind turbines or exported into the electricity grid for grid-connected wind turbines.
About hydro systems
A typical small hydro system is made up of a pipeline, turbine, generator and grid-connected inverter.
The pipeline channels the water to the turbine which turns the flowing water into rotational energy. The generator will transform the rotational energy into electricity.
Electricity is stored in batteries for off-grid hydro systems or exported into the electricity grid for grid-connected hydro systems.
Eligible wind and hydro systems
To be eligible to earn STCs, your wind turbine system must:
- have a capacity less than 10 kW
- have a total annual electricity output less than 25 MWh.
To be eligible to earn STCs, your hydro system must:
- have a capacity less than 6.4 kW
- have a total annual electricity output less than 25 MWh.
If you want a wind or hydro system to supply power to your school, community organisation or small business, your system may need a higher capacity or output.
Large wind and hydro systems are classified as power stations under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.