Small Hydro Generation

Q: How much power will I get?

Most roof-mounted domestic systems land between £5,000–£10,000 for 3–6 kW. Add £3,000–£7,000 for a battery, depending on capacity. Ground-mounts cost more for civils, though our Solarport x-anchors reduce concrete and time on site.

Small-scale hydro engineered for peak performance

We install Powerspout turbines engineered to your site’s head and flow, with screened intakes, correctly sized penstock and a tidy turbine house for reliable, 24/7 generation. We handle surveys, consents and civils, then integrate with Victron so hydro provides a steady baseload, charging batteries day and night and reducing generator hours—built to UK conditions for the long term.

Your solution

Peace of mind from your watercourse: engineered head, flow and civils delivering quiet, constant, 24/7 small-hydro power all year.

We design Powerspout systems around your measured head and flow, then build the right intake and penstock to deliver efficient, round-the-clock generation. Our team handles surveys, Environment Agency permissions and the civils, before commissioning Victron control so hydro supplies a constant baseload, keeps batteries healthy and trims generator run-time.

The Benefits

What will you be gaining?

01

Continuous 24/7 baseload power

Hydro generates day and night, all year (flow permitting), giving you a steady backbone of kWh that keeps batteries healthy and slashes generator run-time.

02

Engineered to your head and flow

We measure head and flow, then specify the right Powerspout turbine, screened intake and correctly sized penstock to maximise efficiency and long-term output.

03

Low-impact, durable civils with full compliance

Intakes, pipework and a compact turbine house are built for longevity and easy maintenance, with Environment Agency consents and ecology measures handled end-to-end.

04

Smart integration and simple ownership

Victron control blends hydro with solar/wind, prioritises renewables, manages charging and provides remote monitoring—reducing fuel costs and making operation effortless.

Talk to our team of experts about the right system for you

We can help you understand exactly what you need.

Common questions

We're here to answer your questions

Do I need permissions?

Yes. Small hydro typically requires Environment Agency consents (e.g., abstraction/impoundment), plus ecology measures and, sometimes, planning permission for the intake/turbine house. We scope this early, advise on constraints and manage applications.

How much power will I get?

Most roof-mounted domestic systems land between £5,000–£10,000 for 3–6 kW. Add £3,000–£7,000 for a battery, depending on capacity. Ground-mounts cost more for civils, though our Solarport x-anchors reduce concrete and time on site.

What makes a good site?

A perennial stream/spring or leat with reliable dry-season flow; at least 10–20 m of usable head (or lower head with higher flow); a practical route for penstock and cable; and space for a small turbine house near the outfall. We confirm feasibility during survey.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Costs vary with civils and access, but domestic/small-estate systems commonly fall in the £15k–£50k range. Typical timelines: feasibility 2–6 weeks, consents 8–16+ weeks (site-dependent), and on-site build/commissioning 3–10 days.

What about maintenance and wildlife?

Hydro is low-touch: keep the intake screen clear (especially in autumn), and schedule an annual service for bearings, electrics and penstock checks. We design screened intakes, bypass flows and sensitive civils to protect habitats and comply with ecological requirements.

Talk to us

We're able to give you a free quote

Just as every home is utterly unique, so is every renewable energy solution. We’ll work with you to understand the specific requirements of your project and provide a quote for a renewable energy solution that works.