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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2004
Small Wind Enters the Grid Tie Market
Flagstaff Arizona based Southwest
Windpower, a world leader in the production of small 400-3000
watt wind generators announced today the introduction of its utility
tie version of its 1000 watt Whisper turbine. “Our markets
have traditionally been for the off-grid application such as a
remote cabin or mountain top telecom system” says Andy Kruse
the company’s Vice President."
The grid tied systems simply hooks directly up to the house and
reduces the user's monthly electrical bill" says Kruse. There
are no batteries to maintain and the systems are virtually maintenance
free. When the wind turbine produces more energy than the house
is using, the person's meeter spins backwards giving them a credit.
Small wind
turbines were originally used during the early 1920s for charging
batteries to operate a radio and a few lights in a small home.
In the mid 1930s, the Rural Electrification Act brought the electrical
grid to homes all across the country virtually eliminating the
need for small wind systems. At that time, electricity was cheap
and reliable. Today with rising energy costs and a deteriorating
electrical grid, it is a different story and small wind has been
making its resurgence in the American home.
Southwest
Windpower claims small wind utility tie
systems are unique as the are relatively inexpensive as compared to other
technologies such as solar photovoltaics or micro gas turbines.. However their use is
generally limited to rural area with adequate wind.
Small wind systems are not for everyone but if you live on a piece
of land of at least one acre, you have a wind speed average
of at least of 9 mph and your electrical utility offers a net-metering
program then a small wind turbine is right for you.
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