Whoosh Energy set up in CityLab in Dalton Square six months ago and the company hopes the 12-metre turbine is the first of many in the area.

Sam Usiskin, one of three company directors, said: "We've done lots of our work up in Cumbria as it is obviously exposed and windy, but this is the first time we've set up a domestic wind turbine in the Lancaster area and we're very happy with how it has gone so far."

The Iskra AT5-1 turbine which has been erected is estimated to produce 8.5 megawatt hours of electricity per year; equal to 8,500 units per year.

Supply
According to Mr Usiskin the figure for an average UK home is between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year although he predicts this turbine will produce half of the large home's electricity supply.

He said: "The turbine generates electricity when the wind is blowing and puts that back into the housing electrical supply network.

"When the turbine is going around you are using your own power and not the grid supply, but if you need electric and the turbine isn't going around due to a lack of wind then you can still access the grid supply like before."

Susan Horn, owner of the new turbine, said: "I got involved because I'm concerned about the environment and having looked at them I thought it was a good use of generating electricity."

The cost of the turbine ranges from £18,500 to £22,000, but grants are available.

Whoosh Energy is currently talking to a Lancaster school and other companies within the district to site a turbine on their properties.