Windspire Produces Low-Cost Energy

Windspire Produces Low-Cost Energy ENERGY Wind Power 32-5-40 Forget about giant propellers spinning in the breeze. Windspire from Mariah Power is a 1.2 kW, 30-ft. tall, 4-ft. dia. unit that spins in position. Designed to be a "personal" wind system, the unit comes complete with a built-in wireless modem that transmits power production information to a computer. "We wanted a low cost product that the average person could afford," says Mike Hess, CEO, Mariah Power. "It comes with everything you need to plug it into the house or grid. No separate pole or inverter is needed." The straight-bladed Darrieus design was introduced in June this year. The company says a Windspire can produce up to 2,000 kW of electricity a year in 12 mph (average) winds. The design is a self starter and produces electricity even at low speeds, but will operate at up to 100 mph. Installation takes only a few hours. It sells for $4,995. Hess reports receiving more than 2,500 orders in the first two months, creating a near immediate backlog. He credits the economical cost of a Windspire and a 10-year payback on the machine for the response. They're building a new factory to increase production, he adds. Installation consists of pouring a 6-ft. deep, 2-ft. diameter concrete base with anchor rods for the mounting bracket. The unit on its mono pole is assembled on the ground and winched into place. No guy wires or tower is needed. The company estimates installation costs of around $1,000. Others have introduced and tried to promote vertical axis wind generators in the past. Cost and efficiency have been a problem. Mariah Power claims its low speed Giromill design rotor and high efficiency generator designed for those low speeds sets their machine apart. Rotor tip speed (rotor edge) is only two to three times the speed of the wind for nearly silent (45 dB estimated at 5 ft. from the base) operation. The total integrated system of rotor, generator and inverter optimizes efficiency. The company reports their brushless generator achieved more than 98 percent efficiency during testing sponsored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Initially used in small and high-speed motors in cameras and disc drives, brushless generators are now being adapted to larger applications such as the Windspire. Hess says the Windspire is only the first unit the company plans to introduce. "The Windspire was the smallest we could make and get certification," he says. "In December we will be introducing one that is 96 in. wide with the same generator and inverter. It'll produce twice the power and at speeds as low as 8 mph. By May or June of 2009 we'll have a 3 kW version powerful enough to provide almost 100 percent of a home's needs." Future plans include an off-grid, remote power application as well as a 240-volt, AC version. The Windspire comes with a five-year warranty. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mariah Power, 748 South Meadows Parkway A-9, no. 329, Reno, Nevada 89521 (ph 775 831-9463; fax 775 201-0467; www.mariah power.com).

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