Windspire 1 kW Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Mariah Power’s Windspire is a neat looking 1kW vertical axis wind turbine that provides an aesthetically pleasing wind power option. It is appropriate for rural, urban, and residential environments alike, and at 30 feet and producing only 25 db, it conforms to typical residential and urban zoning restrictions.

Windspire is a low-cost, easy-to-install wind power device that provides a safe and attractive method for harnessing power from the wind. At only 30 feet tall and 2 feet wide,the moving rotor section is a full 10 feet off the ground, well out of the way of people.

It is distinguished by its propeller-free design, silent operation, producing only about 25 dB, taken 5 feet from the base; rugged construction, simple installation and affordable pricing. Windspire spins at about the same speed as the wind. This makes it virtually silent, clearly visible, and very safe for both people and birds.

At $3,995.00 it comes complete with:

1. The rotor ("turbine")
2. The generator
3. The inverter
4. The pole and pole stand
5. Wiring down to ground level
6. The installation kit - everything you need to install the turbine
7. Owner's and Installation Manuals
8. A 5-year warranty Rugged yet simple construction means durability - the Windspire is rated for winds up to 100 mph.

The Windspire will produce approximately 1900 kilowatt hours per year in 12 mile per hour average winds. It also includes an internal wireless modem that can continuously transmit power production information directly to your computer so you can check your power production at any time. No cranes, no guy wires - the Windspire really is easy to install which can be completed in a matter of hours.  Simply pour a concrete foundation, allow to set, assemble the unit on the ground, and raise the hinged unit with a winch (or motor or vehicle).The Windspire kit comes with everything you will typically need, except the concrete. Simply pour a concrete foundation, attach and assemble the unit, and raise it with a winch. Once installed, you can "plug 'n produce" - plug it into your outlet, or have it hard-wired into your building, to begin drawing power from the wind. Maintenance is limited to a couple of minutes a year to oil the bearings, and a couple of hours every 10 years to replace the rotor panels and the inverter. Marriah is currently taking reservations (no money down) for Windspire, which they expect to be available in the fall of 2007. Windspire Specifications:

General Rated Power 1.0 kW (1000 watts) Annual Power Generation 1880 kWh* (for average 12 mph winds) Total Height 30 ft (9.1 m) Total Weight 550 lb (250 kg) Note: Performance data is subject to final testing, currently underway. Rotor Rotor Type Modified Savonius Rotor Height 20 ft (6.1 m) Rotor Width 2 ft (0.61 m) Swept Area 40 sq ft (3.72 sq m) Rotor Material HDPE Plastic Rated Speed 500 rpm Tip Speed Ratio 1.3 Direction of Rotation Customer Choice Rotor Color Customer Choice Electrical Components Generator Custom High Efficiency Air Core Brushless Permanent Magnet Inverter Custom Integrated, Grid Tie Inverter Output 120 V, 60 Hz AC Inverter Certification IEEE 929, UL 1741 (pending) Wind Ratings Cut-in Wind Speed 8 mph (3.5 m/s) Rated Wind Speed 25 mph* (11 m/s) Survival Wind Speed 100 mph (45 m/s) Wind Tracking Instantaneous Note: Rating data is subject to final testing, currently underway. Foundation Included No Type Poured Concrete Size 2' diameter by 6' base* Note: Concrete piling dimensions depend on local soil and wind load conditions. Other Warranty 5 years Noise Approx. 25 dB at 5 feet from base

Thanks for tip from Treehugger.

Comments

[Vertical Axis Wind Turbines]

VAWTs (vertical axis wind turbines) are both efficient and quiet, making them more suitable for energy production in residential areas than previous wind-based renewable energy technologies. Many current VAWT models resemble eggbeaters, with two blades attached to a central shaft, which is in turn anchored in a power generator. Others have a number of large, flat blades protruding from the central axis; and still others have a helix of extremely light plastic surrounding the axis. They typically stand between two and five feet in height and the best ones are able to attain 30 – 60% efficiency, depending on where they are located.

[windturbines]

Good vertical design. This vertical axis wind turbine is different with common vertical turbines. Especially in the rotor. But it is difficult to install if it is a 10 or 20kw vertical axis wind turbine.

[abass]

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[Vertical Turbines]

Interesting read- the potential of these turbines is amazing.

[wind turbine]

that's really a fantastic post ! added to my favourite blogs list.. I have been reading your blog last

couple of weeks and enjoy every bit. Thanks.

[Tom Walk]

Help Me? Can anyone tell me where to find information in purchasing a wind generator at a n affordable price 1200watts 48volts. I've found two on the internet: one from magnets4less.com and another from missouriwindandsolar.com prices with a controller are basically the same around 1000 dollars US. How does one decide which is best?

[Brother Donald Paul]

We purchased two of these contraptions to the tune of $14,000.00 in May of 2009. They were installed on our mountainside building site directly in the path of the prevailing thermals from the bay to our south. To date, fourteen moths later, they have not produced ONE SINGLE WATT of electricity. As early as a few months after installation, the company admitted the turbines and inverters were defective and promised a complete replacement of the equipment. As of July 2010..zero, zip, nada...We've been fed a constantly changing story from a constantly changing cast of corporate characters. They talk a good game, but fail miserably in actually following through on anything they say. So...while all of the techincal data is certainly fascinating, it means nothing because the company is unwilling and/or unable (likely both!) to actually supply the working equipment. Caveat emptor!

[Ray Wilson]

Although I am not against wind turbines in general, certainly they need to make to the next evolution. This wind turbine technology in the article may be not the freshest but not much has changed since. Of course, it would be better to have though a more silent version than 25dB because it still is noisy. If you want to go for solar energy instead, I suggest you visit my diy home solar panels blog for information how to build your own solar panel and save big on electricity.

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[Kurt Mahler]

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