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Santa Fe Energy Installs First in the US Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Posted on Sep. 23rd, 2009

Posted by Peter Solie
GardnerEDGE

The Clearfield Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Duane Wood of Santa Fe Air and Santa Fe Wind and Solar Power is pleased to announce the installation of the first vertical axis wind turbine in the United States. The vertical axis wind turbine is different from the commercial “windmills” seen across America. The vertical axis units can be placed closer together and in areas were the wind has become disturbed before hitting the blades of the unit.

The vertical axis wind turbine is built by Cleanfield Energy of Ontario, Canada. Santa Fe also carries a traditional “windmill” or horizontal axis unit for commercial or residential use. Wind energy units are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit through the year 2016 (check with your tax advisor for questions regarding tax credits).

Wood said, “This is not a toy, it is a serious piece of equipment. Commercial customers that install this unit will benefit from the 30% tax credit and from net metering which is now available in Kansas.” Net Metering requires electric utilities to purchase electricity generated by customers at the same rate that customers purchase from the utility.

Wood claims a 10 year pay-back on the purchase of the equipment. The unit is designed for 30 years of service and has very few moving parts. According to Wood, “the unit should have an annual inspection, but there is no annual maintenance required.”

Vertical axis wind turbines have been in development for decades. Just recently, however, they were able to overcome a harmonic vibration issue with the use of new technology. According to Wood, “each unit is tuned upon installation. There is a range at which the unit vibrates. With the new technology, the unit accelerates through the vibration speed with the assistance of an electric motor.”

Currently, schools, state government buildings, cities and commercial properties are all investigating the installation of wind turbine units from Santa Fe Wind and Solar.
Wood is proud of the unit, how it will make a difference for the environment and how a local Gardner business is part of the energy solution for the country.

Below is a video of Wood on the roof of his building explaining how the vertical axis wind turbine works. The wind noise on the video is from wind blowing across the microphone, not noise created by the unit. It is actually very quiet. Duane Wood can be contacted at (913) 856-5801 for more information about wind and solar products.

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craig sparks wrote on 7/23/2010 4:18 pm

First vertical Turbine in the US..?

Not even close..try telling the truth.

craig sparks wrote on 7/23/2010 4:17 pm

Sorry to say this is a bat and bird killer, that same as a prop
turbine, perhaps even more so...

I will not buy a Turbine that kills birds. period.

or bats or insects...
NOPE.

what is it you don't understand about dead birds?

Jason Draper wrote on 9/24/2009 8:30 pm

Duane, thank you for the extra information. I work in the energy industry (nuclear, to be specific), so I find this sort of information interesting. Interesting to hear about the dynamic issues involved; I deal quite a bit with that sort of thing in my line of work. We often have vibrating equipment (steam turbines of large fans) that have unique dynamic characteristics and requirements, as well as general structural dynamics for seismic analysis of nuclear structures. Keep up the great work!

Duane Wood wrote on 9/24/2009 8:35 am

Regarding the VAWT in Lawrence.
Our turbine is the first commercial installation of the Cleanfield Energy V3.5 VAWT in the U.S.
The unit in Lawrence is a 400 watt unit, the V3.5 is a 3,500 watt unit. Zarco approached us about installing a V3.5 at that location but we declined. Zarco wanted us to donate the machine. Iâ��m not aware of any proven VAWT that approaches the power output of the V3.5 available in the U.S.
A company installed a 5,000 watt machine on Jay Lenoâ��s garage, but it self-destructed. The company has since gone out of business.
Duane Wood
Santa Fe Wind and Solar Power

Jason Draper wrote on 9/23/2009 7:53 pm

I'm confused about this being the "first" vertical axis turbine in the US. I've seen one in Lawrence at the corner of Iowa and 9th for about a year now. It's on top of the Zarco alternative fuel station (next to the Zarco conventional fueling station).

. wrote on 9/23/2009 12:30 pm

I hope you keep searching for those products made in the USA - I want our people protected in all ways - something the paid politicians seem to have forgotton how to do.

Duane Wood wrote on 9/23/2009 11:55 am

I understand your concern about wanting products made in the U.S. At this time there is not a U.S. made VAWT that is proven. However, we are dealers for General Electric photovoltaic panels and Skystream horizontal axis wind turbines. The Skystream is made in Arizona. Duane Wood
Santa Fe Wind and Solar Power

. wrote on 9/23/2009 11:38 am

Very interesting - would like more information is systems of this nature. I just want the turbines and the panels to be built here in the U.S. and give OUR PEOPLE jobs which we so desperately need.

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Santa Fe Energy Installs First in the US Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

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