Swift Wind Turbine
The Swift Wind Turbine was developed by Renewable Devices in Scotland, and is the first quiet rooftop turbine that generates electricity by harnessing the power of the wind as a cost effective energy source for home, commercial, and industrial applications. The Swift generates an of average of 1,680 watts of immediate power, and can produce up to 20% of a home’s electricity with only 19 kph (12 mph) wind speeds. The Swift was designed to be environmentally sustainable in that it produces more energy in its lifetime of use than is used in the material and processes to manufacture it.
The Swift is without doubt, the quietest rooftop mount wind turbines manufactured to date. Traditional wind turbines generate some noise as the wind travels the length of the blade and also transmits unwanted vibration to the building or structure where it is mounted. The Swift, however, has been designed with an outer ring, which acts as a diffuser; so that as the wind travels down the blades, it is dispersed along the outer ring, eliminating the noise and vibration, keeping the turbine quiet. While there is some noise of course, it is less than 35 decibels (dB) at all wind speeds. To put that in context, a whisper is between 15-25dB, while normal home or background noises are measured at 40-60dB, and normal speech is measured at 65-70dB.
The Swift will be manufactured by the Michigan based Company Cascade Engineerings and is expected to generate about 2,000 kWh annual power in a good wind location. This figure should translate into about 20% of an average home power usage. If multiple units are used, then an even larger percentage of household energy can be produced. Since these units are roof mounted, commercial and industrial buildings can accommodate numerous rows of Swift wind turbines as an alternate energy source. Installation of a Swift wind turbine not only reduces the amount of electricity used from conventional means, but also reduces carbon emissions and lowers the electric bill.
Swift Wind Turbine
The Swift is also relatively small, with a ring/blade diameter of only 7-feet. Installation requires a clearance of only 2-feet from the roofline, keeping the unit with a low profile footprint. The small size, together with the quietness of energy production, enables the turbine to be used effectively in both urban and suburban settings. Another factor, which may encourage the use of a Swift wind turbine for community or business use in the U.S., is a 30% federal tax credit – the credit is 30 percent off the total project cost including installation expenses, whether it is for one turbine or ten.
The Swift is grid connected, with utilization of the electricity generated by the turbine before supplementation from the traditional electric supply. The electric power produced is 240VAC, with 60Hz output voltage, while the rated power output is 1.5W @ 14 m/s. The annual power supplied by one Swift is up to 2,000 kWh with at least 19kph (12 mph) wind supply. The manufacturer does provide a “wind estimator” on their website where potential users can determine if the wind turbine will work effectively in their location. Use of an anemometer or securing a detailed wind energy study will give more specific data for the proposed site.
The Swift has an estimated installed cost of about $10,000 – $12,000 each in the US, but there is an option to purchase the kit and “do it yourself” for around $8,500. The manufacturer states, “depending on the installed price, cost of electricity, average wind speed, and rebates available, the Swift Wind Turbine can pay for itself in as little as 3 years.” However, for most users a substantially longer time period will be required to recover the full cost.
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