Another Option in Home Wind Turbines: The Swift Rooftop Energy System

Though in urban settings small scale or roof-mounted wind turbines probably aren't the best way to generate renewable electricity, in more rural settings they are a more realistic option. In that light, the latest entrant to the home wind power market comes from Grand Rapid, Michigan's Cascade Engineering and its newly announced Swift Rooftop Wind Energy System.

According to Swift, the thing that really sets its turbine apart is that it is dead quiet, "quieter than a whisper" according to their press release. Here are the details:Up to 2000 kWh Annually
The Swift wind turbine has a blade/ring diameter of 7 feet; has a rated power output of 1.5 k and can generate up to 2000 kWh of electricity annually; at all wind speeds in generates less than 35 decibels of noise. In the product literature it is claimed that the Swift wind turbine, "has been designed to be environmentally sustainable. The product produces more energy in its lifetime than is incorporated in the material and prcess used to manufacture it -- it is therefore 'harm neutral'." The Swift has 5 year warrantee and is designed for 20 years of use.

Payback In Perhaps 3 Years
In terms of cost, Swift says that the estimated cost to install one its wind turbines is somewhere between $10,000-12,000; and that when current national incentive programs, current electricity costs, and assuming average wind speeds, the Swift can pay for itself in about 3 years.

The first commercial customer installation of a Swift wind turbine just took place at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, in Muskegon, Michigan.

More at: Swift Wind Turbines.