Reno firm makes backyard (VAWT) wind turbines

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/aug/09/reno-firm-makes-backyard-wind-turbines/

Reno firm makes backyard wind turbines

The Associated Press

Sat, Aug 9, 2008 (12:15 a.m.)

In a small warehouse on Rock Boulevard, a startup company called Mariah Power is assembling the first affordable, column-like wind turbines small enough to fit a backyard.

Mariah President Mike Hess, his staff of six and temporary workers have assembled 30 wind turbines to produce electricity since they went on sale in June for $4,995 each and the company plans to build 30 more in August. The parts are built in machine shops in Carson City.

Without any big splash in the media, the company already has a backlog of 2,500 orders to fill. Unlike windmills that have big propellers, the two-foot blades of the Mariah’s Windspire rotate around a vertical 30-foot tall pole, using patented technology to maximize the energy produced.

Hess projects the company will produce 18,000 units in its first year at a retooled factory in Youngstown, Ohio, starting this winter. The expansion plans hinge on gaining $7-$10 million in financing now in the works.

…

http://mariahpower.com/

[panader0]

1. Very cool

Googled their site and it's cool.

[murray hill farm]

2. Ohhhhhhhhh man!

I want one!!! I wonder if there are subsidies available....or if there will be.

[predfan]

3. As we say down south, it's coming, ya'll...............with a little leadership

in the White House, we'll change this whole dynamic.

[medeak]

4. doesn't mention permits from feds? n/t

[FirstLight]

5. I wonder how much these suckers run?

This is SO awesome! and carson valley is a great place to do this, they get alot of wind over there.

I wonder if it is cheaper than going solar?


I wish I owned my own home so I could do this! *sigh* someday....

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. $5K

http://mariahpower.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=208

What's Included When You Buy a Windspire

We sell a complete wind power system, not just a turbine. When you buy a Windspire for the low price of $4995, you get far more than just a wind turbine. You get:

1. The rotor ("turbine")
2. The generator
3. The inverter
4. The hinged monopole and pole stand
5. Wiring up to 100 feet from the base
6. The WiFi modem to monitor performance
7. Owner's Manual
8. A 5-year warranty

Your Windspire can be easily and quickly installed by an authorized dealer/installer. We are currently accepting applications for dealers and installers.

[tinrobot]

9. Not that much cheaper than solar.

A comparable 1.2kw solar system would run about $8K, less with rebates.

[Lugnut]

7. Hmmmm.

I wonder if my local zoning board would approve a permit for one of those.

[DCKit]

8. Efficient too.

"Power from Advanced Technology - Mariah Power’s patented technology includes a rotor, generator, and inverter designed as a complete system to optimize the conversion of wind energy into electricity. The 1kW (1 kilowatt, or 1,000 watts) Windspire will produce approximately 1900* kilowatt hours per year in 12 mile per hour average winds. The Windspire 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."

http://mariahpower.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=35

[tinrobot]

10. What's the deal with building permits and windmills?

I can see these working if you live in an open area, but erecting a 30ft windmill in an urban/suburban backyard probably needs some sort of permit/variance. I wonder how easy it will be to get permission from a city to erect one of these.

[bvar22]

11. Love it.

I wonder how noisy they are?
I don't mind the whooshing noise of the larger commercial towers, but the high rpm smaller conventional units can be annoying.

[IndyOp]

12. They claim that they are extremely quiet. I'd like to hear one before installing.

Extremely Quiet - Our uniquely slender vertical axis design allows Windspire to operate with a low tip speed ratio (the edges of the rotor spin just 2 to 3 times the speed of the wind), which makes it virtually silent.

http://mariahpower.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=228

[skids]

14. Hey that ain't bad...

...usually these Darrieus type VAWTs spin up pretty darn fast. 2 to 3 times wind speed is not that bad as far as the "bird blender" factor goes. Though a shrouded savonius still seems like the best base design to work with to me, given it's more visually opaque (see tmawind.com). But this darrieus has a nice slim profile so it will likely be more visible to the critters of the sky.

I'll have to check out the site later but does anyone know if these are rigid blades or variable pitch?

[IndyOp]

13. Another quote - maximum noise is about 45 db...

Virtually Silent. Windspire is nearly silent. We estimate the maximum noise level at about 45 dB, taken 5 feet from the base (if you are standing right under it). This is well below the 65 to 100 dB noise levels of many turbines on the market.

http://mariahpower.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=232