Gaia-Wind gets green light for MicroGeneration Certification Scheme

January 13, 2010

Gaia-Wind is proud to be included in the recently published transition list of small wind turbines eligible for the UK Government’s forthcoming MicroGeneration Certification Scheme.

The MCS certification has replaced the Clear Skies scheme in the UK, which gives consumers a guarantee that the products listed have conformed and been rigorously tested against robust criteria and the new national standards.  Gaia-Wind is completing final tests with the accreditation body TUV-Nel and expects to achieve full certification before June 2010.

The Transition List has been released at the beginning of January, ahead of the Department of Energy and Climate Changereleasing the full regulations which will govern the new UK Feed-In Tariff, which becomes active on 1st April 2010.

Whilst the regulations have yet to be finalised, they will “have an important role for the MicroGeneration Certification Scheme” according to Johnnie Andringa, Managing Director at Gaia-Wind. It is widely expected that to qualify for financial incentives in the UK products must carry the MCS mark. The Gaia-Wind 133-11kW wind turbine’s inclusion in the Transition List ensures that customers buying and installing a small wind turbine after last July and prior to the introduction of the Feed-In Tariff will meet all possible requirements  for the Government’s financial incentives.

The objective of the MicroGeneration Scheme is to provide consumers with energy sources that use existing natural resources, allowing the public to contribute to the future security of the UK’s energy supply. The scheme has support from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and from industry and non-governmental groups, as a major driving force in lowering UK carbon emissions.

April’s new Feed-In Tariff presents a significant financial opportunity for owners of small wind turbines (See Gaia-Wind news). The incentive is awarded based on energy production, which means that consumers can really benefit financially from the outstanding performance of the Gaia-Wind 133-11kW wind turbine.

Gaia-Wind has a firm commitment to achieving compliance with all certification requirements as required by different countries. In the 1990’s, Gaia-Wind was the only company to achieve the Danish HB certification, the only formal certification scheme available for small wind turbines at the time. This has now evolved into a scheme aligned with international IEC regulation, for which Gaia-Wind continues to qualify.

Over in the US the Gaia-Wind 133-11kW has already been selected for the US Department of Enegry’s NREL ‘Independent testing program’ for small wind turbines . Based on the strength of the test results, where the Gaia-Wind turbine outperformed its nearest competitor by a factor of more than 2 to1, the turbine has become eligible for grants in the many different US states, most notably the NYSERDA list in New York.

Johnnie Andringa, Managing Director at Gaia-Wind, added: “being included on the transition list for MCS certification is great news, we are committed to achieving the full MCS award as soon as possible. The certification is a real step forward to providing better product performance for small wind turbine owners to ensure they get value for money from their investment.”

About Gaia-Wind

Gaia-Wind manufactures wind turbines for light industrial, agricultural, commercial, municipal and residential use. Our clients include working farms, educational institutions, large home owners, offices and other commercial premises. Gaia-Wind works with a number of strategic partners in order to serve its customers in the UK and Ireland.

The organisation has installations world wide, representing over 1000 years of combined operational history. Gaia-Wind turbines incorporate over 20 years of Danish wind  industry experience and offer features that are usually only found in larger, utility scale turbines.

Press Enquiries;

For all further information and high resolution images of the Gaia-Wind Turbines contact Jean McInarlin, Gaia-Wind Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 845 871 4242 or email jean.mcinarlin@gaia-wind.com

For more detailed information on the UK Government’s forthcoming MicroGeneration Certification Scheme see:

http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/Home+and+Business+Owners/Microgeneration+Products/Wind+Turbines+and+Inverter

For detailed on formation on the NREL test results please see:

https://www.windpowerexpo.org/handouts/1464_232Bowen_Amy_134652_Apr21_2009_Time_121537PM.pdf

For further information on the NREL small wind turbine testing programme please see:

http://www.nrel.gov/wind/smallwind/gaia_wind.html