Wind energy for homeowners
Windspire turbine from Mariah Power (Image: Mariah Power)
The eggbeater design of the vertical axis wind turbine is nothing new but it may be the wave of the future.
A small company in Nevada is testing the efficiency of their vertical turbines; if they pass muster, the relatively inexpensive windmills may soon be on the market for homeowners.
The concept isn’t new. Vertical axis turbines have been around since the late nineteen-twenties. But they never took off like the popular three-blade propeller-type turbines because they weren’t very efficient. Now, they’re making a comeback because of better materials and designs…and a push for clean energy.
A small Reno, Nevada startup company called Mariah Power is certainly convinced. It’s testing a vertical-axis turbine in Utah with an independent engineering firm. They plan to start selling the turbine this year for about 5,000 dollars, including installation. Most small wind turbines cost at least twice that.
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