Production
9 m 4.8 100%
13 m 5.2 121%
19 m 5.6 147%
25 m 5.9 165%
32 m 6.2 186%
Table 2: Variation in wind speed and expected relative energy output with tower height.
We do not recommend mounting the SeaHawk to a home and we suggest caution if installing one
on a larger, more substantial, building. Our concerns are 1) the forces on the turbine and
mounting system are substantial and homes are not designed structurally for them, 2) the air flow
around and over a home or building is complex and can cause considerable turbulence.
SeaHawk offers a guyed-tubular tilt-up tower, the Tilt Tower, for the SeaHawk in heights form 9 m
(30 ft) to 32 m (104 ft). The Tilt Tower is cost-effective and is designed to be installable by non-
experts.
The installation of these towers is covered in the SeaHawk Tilt Tower Installation Manual.
PacWind is working to expand the range of tower options, including self-supporting towers that do
not require guy wires.
Customers can also supply their own towers.
These towers have to meet certain criteria for strength and blade clearance (see Appendix), and
a mounting adapter for the SeaHawk wind turbine will need to be designed and fabricated.
Customer supplied towers are not covered by the SeaHawk warranty and any damage to the
SeaHawk wind turbine resulting from a customer supplied tower is excluded from the turbine
warranty coverage.
C. Location
The size and layout of the installation site may limit the tower location, height, or type. More often
than not, however, there are several potential sites. In choosing the best one, the following
factors should be considered:
1. The proximity of the proposed site to dwellings.
As noted before, it is a good idea for you to consult with neighbors about the installation before
proceeding. The SeaHawk makes no noise so no special consideration is necessary for noise.
Most often the tower is installed 18 - 50 meters (60 - 160 feet) from the owner’s house.
2. The local elevation at the tower site.
Since system performance improves with increased wind turbine elevation it is sometimes best to
site the tower on a hill or ridge to gain extra height. If, as is often the case however, the hill or
ridge is a considerable distance (more that 100 meters or 330 ft.) from the house the additional
wiring costs may more than offset the performance gain to be realized.
It is often less expensive to avoid the hill and simply chose a taller tower installed closer to the
house.