MCS requires all certified products to undergo noise testing. Atmos says its noise performance assessments are undertaken in accordance with the guidance published in the BWEA Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard (2008). An MCS ‘noise label’ can then be produced which the turbine manufacturer or supplier can use within its marketing materials and planning application packs.
“Suppliers of micro-wind turbines are finding it increasingly difficult to secure planning consent due to noise issues,” said Jim Singleton, who heads up the environmental consultancy’s Acoustics & Noise team.
“For example, we have recently completed noise performance testing of a U.S. built micro-turbine as the manufacturer-supplied noise data was simply not being uniformly accepted by UK planning officers.
“Having an officially recognised MCS noise label on a turbine means that planning and environmental health officers can quickly assess potential turbine noise levels,” continued Jim.
“Often removing the need for the developer to commission a bespoke environmental noise assessment. Specifying a turbine model with an MCS noise label can obviously be a substantial saving for anybody looking to install a micro turbine, as well as potentially reducing timescales to become operational.”