HOME > NEWS > PRESS RELEASES > SMALL WIND ENTERS GRID TIE MARKET Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Small Wind Enters the Grid Tie MarketFlagstaff 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. ### |
