SWIFT Wind Turbine

Here's another form of alternative energy that's frequently overlooked: a wind turbine for the home.

It works like any other wind turbine, but the SWIFT turbine is a lot smaller and quieter, thus avoiding the potential problem of collapse and calamity. There's even a helpful calculator -- put in your address, and get a map back that shows you the potential for wind generation at your home, complete with links to relevant incentives.

They'll go on sale in the US in July 2008 and have a projected price of $10,000 to $12,000, with many local and federal incentives available to offset that cost. According to the FAQ, one properly placed SWIFT turbine can make 2000 kWh of electricity. Combine that with some PV panels, good building insulation, and efficient appliances and you could get close to zero net energy.

Comments (4)

My husband has been wanting to put a wind turbine on our place...but we live in a townhouse...I dont think the association would allow it. But I do like this one! =)

posted by evilaril22 on April 12th 2008 at 4:16pm
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I am very interested in these as we are in a very windy area (predicted 70mph winds today, oy), but their website says we are in a low wind area where it would not be economical for us to use these. I was really surprised at that.

posted by Anne (in Reno) on April 14th 2008 at 11:22am
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FYI: At present there is no Federal tax credit for residential wind power. The Federal production tax credit (PTC) is only applicable to utility-scale wind turbines, not smaller
turbines used to power individual homes or businesses.

Alternative-Heating-Info.com

posted by Sam Streubel on September 15th 2008 at 2:51pm
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The removal of the tax credit cap ($1,500) for marginal energy producers like residential wind reduces the payback period to the point where small wind projects start to make economic sense for more homeowners.

Here's an example of the residential wind payback period for small wind.

posted by Sam Streubel on April 20th 2009 at 6:19am
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