Small wind a big part of Solar and Wind Expo

Scott Merrick (with glasses) talks to an attendee at the Bergey Windpower booth at Wind and Solar Expo. The company’s XL.1, a 1kW battery-charger turbine sits to the right. He says the turbine will be available as a direct grid-tied version within a year.

Small wind was a highlight of the Solar and Wind Expo (www.thesolarandwindexpo.com) a consumer-oriented renewable energy event recently held in Baltimore. Several small-wind companies exhibiting were enthusiastic about the event and its attendees. “They came to see and learn about the latest in renewable energy equipment,” said Gary K. Sorrelle, a wind specialist with Atech Energy in Oxford, Pa. Atech displayed an Endurance S-250 residential sized wind turbine blade, a unit with an 18-ft dia. rotor.

“This was the most successful show we have participated in this year,” said Susan Fausnaught, operations specialist at Groundloop/A+ Solar, Darlington, Md. The company sells and services solar, wind, and geothermal equipment. “A significant numbers of attendees had researched different products and knew exactly what they were seeking.” A+ Solar showed a Swift turbine, manufactured by Cascade Engineering, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Also important, added Atech’s Sorrelle, is that the event is a great opportunity to introduce the Mid-Atlantic region to the benefits of ‘small wind’ turbines. It has been assumed the Mid-Atlantic region is unsuitable for wind turbines. But with ever-rising energy costs and advances in technology, wind is a viable option for the region. The next Solar and Wind Expo is slated for May 13 to 15 2011, at the Timonium Fairgrounds. WPE