The Earth Turbine 2500 can generate 2.5 kW in a 11 m/s wind.
Earth Turbines Inc, Williston, Vermont, the state’s only manufacturer of small scale grid-connected wind and solar tracking systems, announces a corporate name change to AllEarth Renewables Inc. “Our company is dedicated to developing new wind and solar technologies,” says David Blittersdorf, CEO and president of AllEarth Renewables. “We want to be sure that our corporate name reflects this larger focus for the future.” Since founding Earth Turbines in 2005, Blittersdorf has lead a team of engineers dedicated to designing rugged and reliable grid-connected renewable energy systems that help homeowners and businesses realize the dream of generating electricity with local, renewable energy. Much of what was learned while testing and refining the Earch Turbine 2500 influenced development of the AllSun Tracker dual-axis solar system, which was introduced in May of 2009.
The company provides turnkey site assessment, permitting, and installation for both the Earth Turbine 2500 and the AllSun Tracker dual-axis solar system. The company adds that with a 30% federal tax credit and available Vermont tax credits or rebates, each renewable energy system can fit the budget of a wide array of consumers seeking to reduce their dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels, support renewable energy and assure a fixed-cost, reliable power source for their home or business.
The Earth Turbine 2500 uses a patented direct drive, induction generator with no inverter or gearbox. The innovative design was chosen for its reliability and relative simplicity. The system is mounted on a 112-ft guyed tilt-up tower, placing the turbine at best height to capture wind. The company says the 2500 weighs a hefty 450 lb, providing unprecedented durability for a small wind system. The turbine uses a wireless monitoring interface and is easily installed and connected directly to the grid through homes or businesses. After a five-year testing period, sales of the Earth Turbine 2500 are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2010.
More than 80 AllSun Tracker solar systems have already been installed, including 36 at the Green Acres Tracker Farm in Hinesburg, Vermont, the largest solar installation to date in the state. The electricity produced by the Green Acres Tracker Farm (estimated at 200,000 kWh per year) is divided between the corporate headquarters of AllEarth Renewables and NRG Systems of Hinesburg through a process called group net-metering. This allows sharing the electric output of a system among multiple entities located within the same utility service area. The company estimates that with the electricity generated by the Green Acres Tracker Farm, both NRG and AllEarth Renewables will meet 100% of their electricity needs.
Filed Under: Community wind
