Windspire generators have a different concept from most wind-driven generators on the market. From what I see, these generators provide a 120-volt, 20-amp circuit feed that is another source of electricity feed to your house. It actually aids the utility company's feed, rather than replace it. Of course, 20 amps won't run everything in your home, but imagine if it just ran a window airconditioner in the summer or the furnace fan in the winter. How much savings would you see on your bill with that?
The Windspire system is a complete package and stands approximately 30' from base to the top of the unit. From the base to the bottom of the turbine is around 10', which leaves it out of reach of people's hands. The turbine sports a 4' circle on the top and bottom of the turbine with many supports in between to support three long blades that are around 20' long each, called air foils. The blades aren't that wide at all, but are large enough to catch the wind and turn the turbine.
So you may ask, "How does it all work?" First, the wind blows which turns the turbine. Next, the air foils catch the wind and this rotates them, turning the turbine. As the wind blows harder, the turbine turns faster, which produces more power. Next, the turbine is connected to a rotor that turns a generators, which is used to produce electricity. Then, the invereter converts power into a smooth alternating current (AC), to be used with the utility company's power to power your home. Finally, Through a 10-3 underground wire feed to a 20-amp breaker in your panel, the Windspire supplies power to your home or business.
As a bonus with this unit, when the wind isn't blowing, you still receive power from the utility company and, through built-in safety features, the controls prevent power surges and provide automatic shutoff in the event the power grid from the utility company fails. This assures that the Windspire is not backfeeding power down the utility line to an unsuspecting utility worker that is trying to work on restoring power to your home. And for you computer nerds out there, this unit has an optional computer program that will monitor the electricity being produced.
Here are the key features, according to the manufacturer:
- Clean Renewable Energy
- Complete Wind Power System
- Sleek, Attractive Design
- Silent Operation
- Cost Effective and Maintenance-Free
- Made in the USA From Recycled Materials
- Low Profile, Only 30' Tall
- Annual Energy - 2500KWH/yr or more, which is around 25% of the household electricity produced by Windspire
- Grid Ready, Plug "n Produce
- Integrated Inverter With High Efficiency Generator
- Hinged Monopole Makes Installation Simple
- Wireless Performance Monitor
- IEEE & UL Certified
Photo: Windspire
