Proven 35 Wind Turbine

This is a specification page. Better Generation do not sell this product.

 
Proven 35 Wind Turbine

This 15kW rated turbine, formerly known as the Proven 15kW or WT15000, is a high powered model, designed for light industrial, commercial and agricultural use. Ayrshire-based Proven Energy are by far the most established UK manufacturer of small-ish turbines, with a reputation for making robust, durable machines.

Wind turbines

Swept area

The Proven 35 has a blade diameter of 9.80 metres. This means it has a swept area, or capture area of 75.43 square metres. This is all important when comparing wind turbines, since it directly relates to the amount of passing wind energy the turbine blades can intercept.

Proven 35 power output curve

The graph below shows the power produced (in watts) for the Proven 35 at different wind speeds, based on data supplied by the manufacturer.


The green line shows the actual output that the wind turbine achieves at the given wind speed, according to the manufacturers.The dashed line in the graph shows the theoretical maximum energy that this turbine could extract from the wind, according to Betz's Law (59.3%). At a typical wind speed of 5 m/s, the Proven 35 is extracting 1940 Watts of power from the wind, which is an efficiency of 33.46%.

If you want to install a wind turbine, it is very important to measure how much energy you might produce.
Learn more about the Power Predictor


How efficient is the Proven 35?

Wind turbines can only convert some of the energy in the wind into electricity. The graph here shows how efficient the turbine is across the range of wind speeds you might get.

The orange line in the above graph shows the efficiency ranging from 0 to 1. The grey line is the previously mentioned maximum efficiency - The Betz Limit. If this limit is exceeded, the manufacturer's claims are not to be trusted!

While these graphs give an indication of the instantaneous power and efficiencies you might expect from the Proven 35 turbine, working out annual power production is more complex.

Read more about the Power Predictor

Power output
It has an estimated annual output of between 15,000 and 30,000 kWh (based on 5m/s wind speed), enough for about 6 average UK houses. All depending on your wind speed of course.
Cost
For a grid-connected 15kW turbine, Proven estimate a cost of £58000 plus groundworks.
Our view
This is a serious investment, but with installations all around the world, these machines are generally considered to have a good track record.
Blade diameter
9.80 metres
Rated output (W)
15000
Voltages
48 Volt • 120 Volt • 240 Volt AC
Manufacturer
Proven
http://www.provenenergy.co.uk
Noise levels
At 5m/s the 15kW turbine should make 48dB of noise: it should be possible to hold a conversation while standing below it.
http://www.provenenergy.co.uk
More information
Proven Energy 01560 485 570
Country of origin
UK
Generator type
Permanent magnet
Governing wind speed (m/s)
12
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Comments (9)Add Comment
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written by Simon Marshall, May 14, 2011
I live in the shadow of one of these things and it makes a terrible noise - Proven claims on their web site about being quiet are rubbish.
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written by Jon Naylor, April 20, 2011
I think there are just a three simple issues behind all this science folks. First and foremost it’s tower height. A 15 or 18 metre tower will never get your turbine up into the clean reliable wind zone. It pains me to see all this hype from the turbine manufacturers and then every tower they sell is grossly inadequate. 25 to 30 metres up will make a radical difference to your output in every case - no exceptions!

Simplicity is next, forget your barakes, gearboxes, springs and couplings, bits and bobs of clever technology! So much more to go wrong. Spin your magnets fixed in your hub connected directly to your fixed blades on two heavy duty bearings and if the wind gets too high, furl out of the way......just like its always been done. The only moving parts are the parts you see moving....simples!

Thirdly is robustness, beef everything up like you expect it to be hit by a tornado....it probably never will over here but it sure as hell won't fall to bits in a moderate winter storm!

For me there's only one small wind turbine I'd ever buy and that’s the Bergey Excel 10kW. It was built for use in tornado alley, has a ten year warranty far exceeding the payback period so you are safe and the manufacturers recently specified its expected lifespan at 50 years!!

Check for yourselves there isn't another manufacturer in the world offering that.

But remember even this little bruiser won't give you the returns you expect unless you get it up high!
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written by Norman McBride, September 11, 2010
I had a Proven 2.5 installed in 2004, I wish I could say that I am satisfied with the build quality and performance but I'm not. The steel parts are a nice shade of rust,the output only saves £25 to £30 per quarter - I won't live to see the ornament pay for itself. To cap it all the installer didn't want to know once he had my money. Oh well, older and wiser.
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written by Giancarlo from Italy, June 10, 2010
hello to all,
i have just installed the Proven wind turbine, the new name is Proven 7 but few month ago it name was Proven 2.5.
I have change the inverter from SMA to Power One but i have missed the Power Curve details. Have got someone the file about this wind turbine.
Thank you in advance.
Best Regard.
G.R
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written by Steve Wilks, May 11, 2010
"generally considered to have a good track record"....mmmmm google words like- proven wind turbines problems
Will tell a different tale!
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written by John Gumbley, March 19, 2010
Just installed the latest Proven 35. This has reduced length blades , Has produced 412 kWh in 42 hours!!

Running very well indeed. Quiet too.
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written by gavstamp, February 22, 2010
I would like to know what changes have been made to the machine from when they rebranded it from the 15 to the 35 and if the issues with the blades have been sorted.
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written by Better Generation, September 08, 2009
Proven have recently re-published their power curves to meet with the standards required by the MCS scheme. Find out more here - www.microgenerationcertification.org.

The new power curves are normalised, i.e. they show the average power outputs by windspeed rather than the maximums.

It's great to see Proven voluntarily meeting these standards, and we hope to see many more manufacturers following suit soon...
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written by Gary Wilks, September 04, 2009
MMMMMMMMMMM......don't see how Proven can call it a 15kw turbine!!
When it struggles to make just over 12.5kw.

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