EcoGeek

Rooftop wind turbine will be sold at your corner hardware store

A small rooftop wind turbine by EarthTronics will be sold at ACE Hardware stores starting this fall. The 2-kW Honeywell Wind Turbine can produce power from winds that range in speed from two miles per hour to 45 miles per hour, making it the first among its competitors to be able to generate power from such slow wind speeds.

The small turbine is six feet in diameter, weighs 95 pounds and can be directly mounted to a roof. The turbine operates through a "direct-drive" design, which means it generates power without the use of a heavy center gearbox, allowing it to be lighter in weight and to work at slower speeds.

According to EarthTronics, it's capable of generating 2,000 kWh of electricity per year, or 18 percent of an average household's energy needs. The company hopes that its small size and availability through ACE Hardware will open up wind power generation to a whole new set of consumers.

The turbine is priced at $4,500, plus up to $1,500 for installation, but with the new incentives in the stimulus bill, consumers and businesses can claim a 30 percent investment tax credit for the cost of a small wind turbine and some states offer even more incentives, making it much more affordable in the end.

via Greentech Media

 

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  • Posted by RRUDDIE Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:50am PDT
    I would rather be green shopping at garage sales(http://www.garagesalestracker.com) for that kind of price. Any idea what the ROI would be for the average house hold for that price? Even at $3,250 after the tax rebate I have to wonder what the average monthly savings would be in terms of average energy consumption.
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  • Posted by wendell Sun Jun 14, 2009 1:18pm PDT
    This would work wonders where I live in Hawaii. Data from my last 4 electric bill indicate that on one occasion I went below the 2000 kwh treshold. 131 kwh was used for that month, and by no means do I live in a small house. I have 2 15 ft refrigerators 1 desktop comp. and 3 laptops all blazing away from members of my household. 240 and 238 kwh are also recent, I just don't have the data from the most recent bill. I think it is safe to say that this device would cover almost 50% of my electric needs. The problem I would have is that it is rated to only 45 mph winds. I am really glad that ACE will stock this Wind Turbine. This Turbine will benefit and have a faster ROI in Hawaii because we have one of the most expensive rates in the country at over 33 cents per kwh when adding in total cost, which varies month to month. However with this all said I should also report that you should go to Helix Wind.com and look at that product. I am not a saleman or a representative of that company in any way shape or form, but I think their wind turbine is the FUTURE. Go check it out.
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  • Posted by 紫云轩 Tue Jul 7, 2009 10:00pm PDT
    we produce and sell wind turbine , more detailed please check : www.worldwindturbine.com
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  • Posted by greenenergyfurnice_byjoe Tue Dec 1, 2009 1:32pm PST
    Hi my name is Joe and I'm interested in adding your rooftop wind turbine to my greenhouse project can you provide me with a price, generating capacity, and avalability? My adress is Joe Martonfi po box 2316 Westport WA. 98595 and you can email me at greenenergyfurnice_byjoe@yahoo.com Thank you
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