Southwest Windpower
Encyclopedia
Southwest Windpower is a wind turbine
manufacturer established in 1987 based in Flagstaff, Arizona
. The company specializes in small, reliable battery charging wind generators that complement photovoltaics (solar energy or PV) in supplying energy to rural areas.
In 2000, SWWP became the first wind turbine manufacturer to receive UL (Underwriters Laboratories
) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission
) certification, for its AIR series wind turbines. Southwest Windpower’s latest turbine, the Skystream 3.7, has a rotor diameter of about 12 feet (3.7 m) and can generate up to half an average U.S. home's energy in optimal winds. It is the first residential-scale wind generator designed specifically for the grid-connected home or small business.
Skystream is the first device to be spun out of the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Energy Program. That program includes the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Wind Technology Center in Boulder CO. Andrew Kruse estimates that one Skystream will produce about 100 MWh of energy over its 20-year design life. At a typical total installed cost of $15,000, that gives an average energy cost of 9 cents per kilowatthour.
In 2011 the company received a Statement of Compliance from (Germanischer Lloyd
) which confirms that Skystream 3.7 meets the requirements of the (International Electrotechnical Commission
) (IEC) Standard 61400-2:2006, Edition 2, "Design requirements for small wind turbines," which addresses safety philosophy, quality assurance and engineering integrity of the turbine.
Wind turbine
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or...
manufacturer established in 1987 based in Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...
. The company specializes in small, reliable battery charging wind generators that complement photovoltaics (solar energy or PV) in supplying energy to rural areas.
In 2000, SWWP became the first wind turbine manufacturer to receive UL (Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is an independent product safety certification organization. Established in 1894, the company has its headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois. UL develops standards and test procedures for products, materials, components, assemblies, tools and equipment, chiefly dealing...
) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission
International Electrotechnical Commission
The International Electrotechnical Commission is a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology"...
) certification, for its AIR series wind turbines. Southwest Windpower’s latest turbine, the Skystream 3.7, has a rotor diameter of about 12 feet (3.7 m) and can generate up to half an average U.S. home's energy in optimal winds. It is the first residential-scale wind generator designed specifically for the grid-connected home or small business.
Skystream is the first device to be spun out of the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Energy Program. That program includes the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory , located in Golden, Colorado, is the United States' primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility; it is funded through...
Wind Technology Center in Boulder CO. Andrew Kruse estimates that one Skystream will produce about 100 MWh of energy over its 20-year design life. At a typical total installed cost of $15,000, that gives an average energy cost of 9 cents per kilowatthour.
In 2011 the company received a Statement of Compliance from (Germanischer Lloyd
Germanischer Lloyd
The Germanischer Lloyd SE is a classification society based in the city of Hamburg, Germany. As a technical supervisory organization Germanischer Lloyd conducts safety surveys on more than 7,000 ships with over 100 Mio GT...
) which confirms that Skystream 3.7 meets the requirements of the (International Electrotechnical Commission
International Electrotechnical Commission
The International Electrotechnical Commission is a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology"...
) (IEC) Standard 61400-2:2006, Edition 2, "Design requirements for small wind turbines," which addresses safety philosophy, quality assurance and engineering integrity of the turbine.