Locally made wind turbines to create jobs (MI, to be sold at ACE hardware)

[jpak]

http://www.mlive.com/chronicle/news/index.ssf/2008/12/locally_produced_wind_turbines.html

If alternative energy development is the answer to the country's economic woes -- as President-elect Barack Obama and many others have suggested -- then Muskegon's future is looking bright.

The "wind turbine in a box" will be unwrapped at ACE Hardware stores across the country next May with a "made in Muskegon" tag. The product, inspired by the Grand Valley State University Energy Center and produced by local company EarthTronics, can save consumers electricity costs and is expected to generate about 100 local jobs that could balloon to many more.

Illustration/EarthTronicsAn illustration of a 36-inch diameter WindTronics wind turbine.
"This can truly be a Michigan product," said EarthTronics President Reg Adams of the turbines that are expected to begin production in early 2009. "This is Michigan's to lose. Our plan is to do this right here in Muskegon."

EarthTronics and the local Port City Group will begin manufacturing the wind turbines, called the WindTronics 760, could begin in Muskegon as soon as January.

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[madrchsod]

1. coming the following month----->

a cheap low cost chinese knock-off will be on the market with in 6 months.

[vinylsolution]

2. This is fantastic news!

I'll gladly put a 'made-in-Michigan' turbine on my roof! Hats off to ACE Hardware for supporting this venture.

[roguevalley]

9. is there an info spot some place? I would love a wind turbin. I

wonder cost and installation and stuff. I am SEVERELY tech challenged concerning electricity. :)

EDIT: I found the info. I didn't read far enough down. :P

[madokie]

3. We'll be watching for these to be in the stores

I like the idea that its to be a complete package. Installation and all I can do myself plus I have the perfect place for one.

[mopinko]

4. i have a great spot, too.

here in the windy city, i have just been waiting for an affordable small wind turbine to put on my roof.

[madokie]

5. And this is something that will be affordable

Speed in relationship to the coil of wire and the magnet is essential, the faster the more electricity made. I've often wondered about moving the magnets and coils out from the center to obtain that needed speed rather than using a power robbing gearbox to do it.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. In our area, Ace sells CF's for $1 (13W) or $2 (26W). nt

[mopinko]

7. i think most of us have already made that leap.

let my know when the cf microwaves, teevees, washers, dryers, stereos, fans, air conditioners, etc are ready.

[forintegrity]

8. I want one!

[JohnWxy]

10. according to EIA avg Electr bill for U.S. is $73.26. That makes payback for this turbine 3.3 years!

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epav2/html_tables/epav2t2p1.html

sounds like a winner!

[madokie]

11. If it produced all the electricity one would be using

which it isn't

[JohnWxy]

13. UH-oh. good point. Average U.S. household uses 8,900 kWhr per yr.

one of these turbines would get about 18% of that. Thanks for the heads up on that. So payback would be about 18 yrs - assuming no increase in your electric rates (?!). The way things are going you could probably cut that payback in about half!

http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/BoiLu.shtml

[TheWraith]

12. No, this turbine wouldn't even come close to meeting a home's electricity needs.

This would produce about $10 to $15 worth of energy per month, according to their specs. 1580 KWh per year = 131 KWh per month. Average home demand is 920 KWh per month. You'd need 7 of these turbines to break even on an average energy bill.

This is a nice idea, but the fact is that the turbine's output is low for the price. There's models on eBay with substantally more output for the same cost.