Power Predictor
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  written by Better Generation, November 18, 2009
@michaelb
You can do a data upload as little or as often as you like. It is advised all users do a 24hr test prior to leaving the Power Predictor for an extended amount of time so they can be sure they have correctly set up the device. A Power Report will only be generated after a month, and a new Report after every month added. If you upload data weekly you can see your wind speeds and solar irradiation on the 'View data' pages of the report. How often a user uploads their data is usually controlled by the accessibility of their site. If the user is leaving the Power Predictor for several months at a time they need to be confident that the battery they are using has enough power to last this long. If they are unsure regular checks will solve this concern. The data is stored on a memory card - this file can be transferred to a laptop to be uploaded to the website later. The file must not be formatted or edited in anyway else it will not upload.  written by michaelb, November 17, 2009
should, once the PP is mounted to test a site,readings/data collection be taken weekly or just once a month? Or more often.
Is there a major disruption of data collection if the data collector malfunctions; perhaps this why weekly data collection is advised? Can the data be stored on the hard drive system of a laptop at the site and then downloaded later via DSL line? Or once the memory card and USB comes out of the collector it needs to be sent directly to the data website? We cannot access internet at the test sites. written by Better Generation, August 21, 2009
The Power Predictor comes with 5m of UV balanced cable, with a 6-pin waterproof connector. 6m extension cables are available which can be interconnected to form an even longer extension lead suitable for the taller masts. Using cable of this length should not affect your data collection.
 written by BILL, August 21, 2009
I wish to install a power predictor on an 18m mast. what type of cable is supplied and will the additional length provide too much resistance for the logger? What is the specific cable/connector types?
written by Better Generation, August 19, 2009
Re. unnecessary complications.
The team at Better Generation pride themselves on developing an easy to use and accurate device in the Power Predictor. The majority of users needn't take any notice of the raw data, whether this is in pulses or m/s, as the software will do all the relevant calculations for them. For those people who do fancy analysing their data themselves there is a handy button that lets you download your wind speeds in m/s into Excel. It is possible to generate the Power Report after collecting just one month of data which, for the majority of people, will provide them with all the info they need and factors such as yearly license renewals will be irrelevant. written by Better Generation, August 17, 2009
Power Predictor UPDATE 17th August 2009:
The international software is now fully functional so you can get a Power Report ANYWHERE in the world! It is now possible to download your data in m/s straight into Excel for your own analysis.  written by dmozz, August 10, 2009
I would have been down for a couple, just not a fan of the data logging fuctions. Pulses? Licenses? Renewals? Unneeded complication, imo. Love where your going Better Gen, just not how you get there.
written by Better Generation, July 27, 2009
The Power Predictor software will be fully functional in all countries around the world within the next two weeks. For the immediate future all financial calculations will be based on UK installation prices and will be in pounds sterling.
 written by tosin, July 25, 2009
just wanted to know it applicability in other part of the world, especially in africa.
written by Better Generation, July 20, 2009
The Power Predictor can be attached to a roof, though we would recomend using a mast / pole to raise it above roof height. If you are considering a roof mounted turbine then you should consider factors such as increased turbulence and lower wind speeds due to the building, and also planing constraints.
written by Better Generation, July 08, 2009
To use the Power Predictor to assess wind speeds for an industrial scale wind farm you must first consider a few points: the Power Predictor is accurate to +/-3%, you would need to use a mast of comparable height to a 1MW turbine, ie around 40m to ensure you get an accurate representation of the resource, finally the Power Predictor software compares wind turbines up to 15/20kW and is primarily set up to produce a power report based on comparisons of small wind turbines and solar panels, although it does also record your average wind speed.
The license includes 3 sites and use of the online software for one year. To renew the license costs £40.00.  written by Yogesh Thakur, July 08, 2009
Hi
We want to set up 1MW wind power plant in our location at India. Can it be used to measure the speed for such kind of of generation. The license for data analysis is for one year or it is per site based. As for commercial production and norms of govt. we have to submit the wind data of 2 years. So if you can give us the price this license as well. Thanks Partner www.rmcplindia.com India written by Better Generation, July 07, 2009
We are able to extrapolate one months data across a year based on known UK seasonal wind patterns, established from detailed, historical wind speed data.
 written by Martin Sherring, July 03, 2009
Seems a good idea - but how do you get annual predictions from a month's data? Are you extrapolating from reference data? And if so, averages over how long?
written by Better Generation, June 30, 2009
The cable is to attach the anemometer to the data logger, where data is stored on a memory card.
A 5m cable is supplied with the Power Predictor, if you plan to use a mast of 12m or higher we also supply a 6m extension cable.  written by Barrie Bemand, June 30, 2009
I'm veryu interested in it. You supply 5m cable with it - is that to transfer data to a PC or energy generated to a battery?
written by Better Generation, June 25, 2009
A reading is taken every 10 seconds, from which an average is then taken for every 10 mins. The 512MB memory card should be plenty sufficient as it uses just 7.4kb data / day.
The data logger will work with memory cards up to 2GB in size if you wish to leave it recording for extended periods. No used ones available yet - you will need to wait a month for the first lot of reports to be generated and then there might be some available.  written by Rob Doyle, June 25, 2009
Looks like an interesting product. I am keen to try one. I have built a Hugh piggott design turbine and while I am logging the output from the turbine I need a way of measuring the wind speed that is producing the output. I was wondering how often the datalogger reads the windspeed. 512mb seems like a small memory card for a month of readings.
Any used ones available yet. written by Better Generation, June 22, 2009
The Power Predictor comes with a data logger. Data is stored to a memory card, which can then easily be uploaded to powerpredictor.com for analysis (a memory card USB converter is included).
written by Better Generation, June 22, 2009
Additional sites cost £65 for 3. License renewals cost £40.00 for a year.
 written by Brad Hall, June 22, 2009
From a trade point of view, the product and software do appear to make site assessments easier however could you confirm the cost for each additional site above the 3 free sites you provide and what is the recurring cost for the licence?
Many thanks Brad  written by Harriet Martin, June 21, 2009
You say that there is an LCD screen for observing the readings and the device has "datalogging capabilities". Does this mean the device comes with a data logger or that, in order to store and study long term trends, you need to buy a data logger in addition?
Also, how much will it cost to extend one's liscence to have data analyzed for one additional year? written by Better Generation, June 19, 2009
We have no plans to lease out Power Predictor's. What we are suggesting is that if you no longer require your unit you can list it on this website (we will set up a dedicated page to this) for others to buy from you. New owners of the PP unit will be able to extend the 12 month license if necessary, and buy more sites if the 3 that are included as standard have been used.
 written by Henry Peacocke, June 18, 2009
Do you have any units for lease? If not do you have plans to do so in lieu of potential further system purchases?
written by Better Generation, June 16, 2009
Attaching the Power Predictor to a mast - the Power Predictor comes with a metal bracket attachment. This can be easily attached to a mast or pole using the cable ties supplied, or a couple of screws. The standard mast comes with a ground spike, there is also an optional tripod available that has three 'feet', so should cope with most ground conditions. If your ground is particularly soft providing your own base plate might be a good idea.
 written by Tony Taylor, June 15, 2009
I want to buy the Power Predictor and the 12M pole -I notice the predictor has to be mounted on an arm at 90 degrees to pole - does the predictor come with this arm and can it be easily attached to the pole? I live in Italy and don't want any surprises. Also my soil is soft - does pole have a base plate or do I have to provide my own?
written by Better Generation, June 15, 2009
Cable length and mast size - the Power Predictor is supplied with a 5m long cable - this is suitable for the 6m high mast supplied on this website. The data logger / recorder would then be approximately 1m off the ground ideally placed to be attached to the mast for viewing. Obviously if you are planning to place the Power Predictor on a taller mast then we do supply extension cable if you don't fancy climbing a ladder!
 written by JakeChapman, June 15, 2009
Anyone intending to use this product for monitoring wind speed needs to buy the extension cable as well - the cable supplied with the logger is only 5m long - not helpful for a 10m or 12m mast!
written by Better Generation, June 15, 2009
As a few of you eagle-eyed viewers have pointed out, our current Power Predictor animation shows the the Proven 6kW turbine outperforming the Iskra (5kW) at low wind speeds. In fact at low wind speeds the Iskra is known to perform better.
We were aware of this error in our software and have since fixed it - we will update the video shortly. As we have found through our case studies, a payback of 5 years is only likely in very favourable conditions and with grants in place. You would certainly struggle to achieve this with a 2.5kW turbine.  written by Graham Barnes, June 15, 2009
Price and idea look great. However some of the data is seriously wrong! There is no way the Proven 6kw produces as much as 18,080 kwh/yr when the Iskra produces only 13,536 kwh/yr and paybacks below 5 years for turbines is the exception rather than the rule and no way only 5 years for 2.5 kwk machine (e.g. Proven 2.5)in under present circumstances. Probably only the Gaia, Proven 6 and Iskra on the list will give paybacks of 5 years in favorable circumstances.
written by Better Generation, June 12, 2009
We're really keen to encourage the re-use / selling-on of the Power Predictor and it will be possible do this. We are planning to have an area on this website set aside for those people looking to sell-on or buy. But this is not something we are planning to manage ourselves - so if anyone's interested drop us a line!
If you wish to do this two points to note: 1. The software license does last for a year - it is then possible to renew the license for a minimal fee (by either the original buyer or person they've passed the PP onto). 2. Each Power Predictor pack allows you to set-up 3 sites on your account - if you want to add more these are available to buy (price on request)(again whoever is in possession of the PP may do this).  written by Steve Unwin, June 12, 2009
This sounds very interesting, I'd like to learn more about it. One quick Q: if the software licence lasts for just a year, what are the options for re-using, re-cycling, selling-on or trading-in the device at the end of the year?
written by Better Generation, June 11, 2009
It is possible to download the data file to Excel for your own analysis from the online software, though the wind speeds will be in pulses rather than metres per second.
The package includes a license for one year, which can be renewed when it runs out. The database currently has 12 of the main turbines listed on it for comparison - we can add and change this list easily, as required from our comprehensive review of small turbines on the Better Generation website. Currently the online software is designed for use in the UK (for wind) and Europe (for solar). It is possible to view graphs of wind speed and solar energy for your site that are obviously unaffected by your location worldwide. We are now in the process of internationalising the software which should be ready in the next month or two. written by Better Generation, June 11, 2009
Re: price - we believe that the Power Predictor is very competively priced. Not only does it measure wind speed but unlike many other anemometers on the market it also comes with a wind vane, solar sensor, and most importantly software that will translate your data into easy to understand reports. The BG team challenge you to find a comparable product for a cheaper price!
 written by Jose Lourenco, June 10, 2009
Dear Sirs,
I am interested in buying one of theses units, but first need to check something: The file generated by this equipment can only be analysed by using your online service? And I understand that the package includes this service (license) for only 1 year, correct? Does it generate a file that could be analysed (in my own way) in Excel, for example (CSV file for instance)? Best Regards Jose Lourenco EWEN (Portugal) Write comment
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his carbon emissions, but also save him nearly £7000 every year!
nt, Duncan is looking to invest in renewable technologies in the near future. 
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