Vertical design eliminates propellers
A new wind-driven generator makes electricity without a propeller.
Wind
pushes vertical airfoils on the Windspire, causing them to spin and
generate DC electricity. The power is then converted to AC and ready
for farm and home use.
The Windspire was developed as a patented
kit that includes a high-efficiency generator, rotor, hinged monopole
tower, wireless monitor and the inverter that creates the 60 cycle, 120
V power.
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The 1.2 kilowatt model is designed to produce 2,000
kilowatt hours per year in 19 km/h average winds. It’s built of
corrosion-protected steel and aluminum and is rated to withstand winds
up to 165 km/h.
It is 10 metres high and 1.1 metres wide and costs about $5,000 US.
For more information, visit www.mariahpower.com.
27 years spinning power
People in Oklahoma know their wind.
The Bergey Windpower Company of Norman, Okla., was an early player in the smaller scale wind generator game.
Bergey
introduced a 10 kilowatt model in 1983 after marketing one kilowatt
wind generators. Since then, the company has delivered 1,600 of the
units North America-wide.
The current model is the Excel, a
seven metre diameter, 10,000 watt turbine with fully automatic
operation in any weather condition.
Bergey’s Excel is typically installed on a guyed, lattice tower 20 to 45 metres tall.
Tower
prices are $10,150 to $17,200 US. Tilt-up versions are available for
sites where cranes can’t reach. Non-guyed, lattice towers and tapered,
tubular monopole towers are also available to heights of 37 metres.
Units with a battery system producing 7.5 kilowatts are priced at $23,500. Battery versions put out 24, 48, 120 or 240 volts DC.
With
an inverter for 120 volt AC use, a 10 kilowatt system costs $29,500
U.S. An Excel installed in a moderately windy location can provide most
of the electricity for a typical home.
The smallest Bergey wind turbine is a one kilowatt unit priced at $2,790.
Contact www.bergey.com.
