Husband and wife Reverend Canon John and Elizabeth Sheen have had a wind turbine in their back garden at Kentraugh for years.

The owners of the modern windmill are two of many people in the island who have opted to generate renewable energy.

In last week’s Manx Independent we featured the Salmon Lake Centre and Ballacregga Tearooms which rely on a hydro turbine located under a water wheel.

Glen Vine resident Lorraine Fuller also shared with us the benefits of having solar assisted heating.

Focusing now on the power of wind - something that the island is never in short supply of - we look at the Sheen’s machine which sits proudly in their garden.

Elizabeth said: ’The windmill is a joy and helps the pension very much.

’It generates electricity straight to the MUA, which counts out how many units have been produced. You then get a bill.’

The Sheens are then charged for the extra units of energy they have used over the amount their wind turbine has supplied to the grid.

They also pay a standing charge to the authority and are charged a fee for having a windmill.

’We got it a few years after our solar panels, after the year 2000. We went to a green group who helped to get it set up.’

When asked if she finds the windmill beneficial, Elizabeth replied: ’Gosh yes!

’I do think the best renewable energy is solar panels for water. The water ones I think are very, very reasonable and pay for themselves in a short amount of time. We have one and have had it for 18 years.

’Eighteen years ago everyone laughed at us about getting solar power, now solar panels are as common as mud.

’The windmill is a bigger investment, as it was very expensive to purchase. You’ve also got to know the winds and sites and think about it more carefully.

’It gets serviced every year, and I do have a bit of trouble with it sometimes, but that’s with anything.

’The windmill I love. I’ve always wanted one and just having a little bit kicked off your electricity bill is very beneficial.

It’s great and it’s helping the environment slightly,’ she said.