Mariah Power - Low Cost Wind Energy
Wind energy is ’sustainable energy’, just like solar energy and water power. We already know the benefits of wind energy and why we should opt for it. But currently manufacturers are concentrating on the drawbacks of the wind energy and trying to eliminate or minimize those shortcomings. For example turbines are noisy and this sound nuisance can be a problem for the residents of the areas. Wind turbines are unsafe for birds too. Birds can be injured or die if they are caught up in the wings of the turbines. Turbines might annoy you due to horizon pollution i.e. they might meddle with your aesthetic sense.
Based in Reno, Nevada, Mariah Power has come up with a Windspire. It is a low-cost, easy-to-install wind power appliance. It is thirty feet tall and two feet wide therefore it can be installed at the place where you work or live. It is suitable for rural, suburban, and some urban residential environments alike, and at 30 feet, it is below usual residential and urban zoning limitations.
YouTube: Mariah Windspire | More Videos
Windspire is different from others by its sleek propeller-free design, quieter than other windmills and it is safe for birds and humans. Instead of working as an eyesore, Windspires can be installed in such a way in front of small businesses, commercial complexes and holiday resorts that they can aesthetically appeal to the onlookers without generating noise. The edges of the rotor don’t spin at a fanatic pace. They just spin two to three times the speed of the wind which makes it low sound producing device.
Mariah Power’s patented technology consists of a rotor, generator, and inverter. The 1.2 kW (1.2 kilowatt, or 1200 watts) Windspire will generate approximately 2000 kilowatt hours per year in 12 mile per hour average winds. The Windspire also has an internal wireless modem that can be connected to your computer so that you can check the power production information any time you want.
The initial Windspire model, costs around $4,995. Add around $1,000 for a concrete base for the installation cost. Windspire generates about 30 percent of the energy used by a typical household. They are thinking of launching a new model with larger radius for the blades to be in production next year. Priced at $7,000, it is expected to produce 100 percent of a typical household’s needs.
Related posts:
- Aeroturbine - Next Generation Wind Energy
- Using Radar to Protect Birds from Wind Farms
- Minneapolis International Airport Installs Wind Generators
- Spain Sets Wind Power Generation Record
- Small, Low Speed Wind Turbine
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August 11th, 2008
While this does sound like an excellent piece of equipment, I don’t see how it’s any cheaper than anything else out there. It keeps coming down to the fact that return on investment with most/all turbines is 15-20 years on average. Somebody has got to start building things cheaper.
August 15th, 2008
They don’t say what the life span of the equipment is, so it’s impossible to estimate return on investment, but I agree the equipment is probably only going to
last 10 years, and if so you would want to recover your costs within 7 years max to make it worth it. Bottom line - cost must come down. $3k price tag would probably make it worthwhile.
August 20th, 2008
Fixed electricity cost is about $0.11 per kWh where I live. At 2000 kWh/year, it’s going to take ~22 years for ROI (shorter if electricity gets more expensive — which it will). Still hard to justify a 20+ year ROI to the wife on a product that only has a 10 year warranty. I’ll save more by replacing my SEER 10 A/C compressor with a SEER 21 unit…
September 3rd, 2008
While aesthetics and space requirements are a variable in the wind energy equation, at the end of the day a few kilowatts of power at such expense does not make it useful.
Also the long term cost needs to be factored in:
- Resistance to hurricane and gale force storms?
- Mean time between replacement of parts?
- Service costs?
February 18th, 2009
I’ve had the chance to see a prototype up close and the engineering is just amazing; it’s completely silent and turns at very low winds speeds! They’re also rated for 100mph and will shut down automatically. Lots of updates on their manufacturing news so check their site for details:
http://mariahpower.com
March 7th, 2009
I think we do not get to hear enough good things about the product. Are there free brochure or is all the inform on the web? Are prices going to come down due to more demand? How is the production in Ohio going? Thanks for your time
March 9th, 2009
I think that wind power is not a good resource for alternative energy, because the windmills cost a lot of money, and they are not going to help us like they should.
March 9th, 2009
I agree with Katrina, although for different reasons:
#1 Reliability - (wind will not always be present)
#2 Infrastructure - (where to place the wiring)
#3 Biggest issue ever - How the Grid can compensate for the amount of energy produced by the wind turbines placing power on the grid when the wind blows, then stops. I see this causing a huge imbalance placed on the grid and the power plants ability to adjust quick enough to make up for this imbalance.
It could lead to black outs like we’ve never seen before.
March 10th, 2009
Katrina - you need to get your facts straight. Wind power is reliable, unlike fossil fuels, which are increasing our reliance on foreign countries. Yes, they may cost money, but not as much as we are spending on our current fuels, and isn’t it more valuable to have a clean environment?
April 3rd, 2009
I can hardly wait to install one of these in my Reno back yard! As more of these come into production, the initial costs will come down. I hope I can sell my excess power produced back to the local energy company. Great to see local people doing terrific things.
April 4th, 2009
Jim, please see below:
#1 Reliability - (wind will not always be present) Energy from the wind can be stored when there is no wind. Some wind is always present at night when you do not use it. Most of the production at night is stored for later use during peak demand during the day. Any excess generation due to high winds is not going directly into the grid, it will go into storage.
#2 Infrastructure - (where to place the wiring) Wiring is the easy part that can be integrated into the overall holding frame.
#3 Biggest issue ever - How the Grid can compensate for the amount of energy produced by the wind turbines placing power on the grid when the wind blows, then stops. I see this causing a huge imbalance placed on the grid and the power plants ability to adjust quick enough to make up for this imbalance. -See #1.
April 19th, 2009
I think this is awesome. I personally do not mind waiting 20 years for my ROI. It’s $7,000 people, not 30 or $40,000 like others. It is practical and it’s safe for birds because they can see it better. What’s not to love? The argument that sometimes there isn’t any wind is a weak one. It is so rare for there not be even a 3 or 4 mile an hour wind. It is usually much higher. The average where I live is about 10-15 mph, which isn’t unusual. People need to embrace alternative energy and stop being so darn pessimistic. I’m buying one, and I’ll be a lot happier for it.
April 20th, 2009
Looks neat but look carefully at the power curve and the average annual wind speed in your location.
Unlike commercial wind turbines many of the residential types are rated at 25 mph (or there about) which is a storm condition.
The ‘cut in’ wind speed of 4 m/s (9 mph) is really of no meaning as the power produced is very small.
A typical wind velocity of 11 mph will produce (as per Mariah claims) about 1500 kWh. For commercial turbines they multiply the 1500 by a capacity factor of approximately 33% meaning 500 kWh annual production. The capacity factor covers variability of the wind plus maintenance.
This unit is under testing by NREL (I believe it is NREL) to verify the capacity at this time.
Considering the swept area of the Mariah Windspire the factory rated output seems very much on the high side until supervised testing shows one way or the other.
A document Apples & Oranges by Home Power is an excellent reference. Another is Wind Power Buyers Guide. Both are available at http://www.homepower.com
On the Mariah site they have a ROI calculator to help you. Only thing it leaves out is the cost (value) of money.
April 28th, 2009
Sustainability should be in the minds of people. Try making the same wind mill in India, you shall know the difference. The costs will come drastically low. Same thing can be made for $3000 only. The biomass generator which is being made by Heavenly Farms is breaking even in two years or less.
July 2nd, 2009
Living out here in the Mojave desert in California I can guarantee you one thing, the wind will never stop. I’ve been installing these Wind Spirals for Ray Walp now for 4 weeks and it is rare not to see them spinning. There are more days the breaks kick on because of high winds then days where they just sit there with birds on them.
If you have any questions feel free to call Mariah Power 1-757-857-4888
If your in southern California feel free to call the shop, I am sure someone can answer any questions you might have regarding the spirals.
1-760-371-5254