From the beginning of recorded history, man has harnessed the wind to provide power - power for pumps, power to move ships and power to mill grains. You may have an iconic memory of pictures of ramshackle, wooden windmills clattering to pump water for farms in the 19^th and 20^th Centuries in the United States. Since that time electrical energy and fossil-fuel powered motors have replaced most wind-powered equipment except when it comes to moving boats.

In recent months and years many widely divergent groups seeking “greener” energy solutions have clamored to harness the wind again. Others have opposed its implementation in “wind farms” for a variety of reasons. Some experts claim that large groups of turbines are certain to affect weather forecasting. In a number of areas, these farms have created a radar signature that “look” like tornadoes on weather radar. Wildlife conservation groups have opposed the farms – or even single turbines – because of demonstrated killing of birds and bats in the vicinity of the installations. Other opposition has come from residents opposed to their presence off-shore or in line-of-sight of their homes. This has been the primary complaint as Anne Arundel County, Maryland Council members unanimously approved residential windmill installations and, most famously, off the coast of Nantucket, Rhode Island.

Rhode Island

Boosting Cape Cod\'s Economy
Survey of Residents about Off-Shore Wind Farm

Maryland

Winds of Change Blowing
Wind Farm Proposal Draws Criticism

While much of the turbine manufacturing is taking place in Europe and China, there is a growing movement to bring more domestic production on-line. As an example, GE shows as a domestic turbine manufacturer but the majority of their turbine production is in China, Canada, Norway, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom and, lastly, the United States. They have domestic production of turbine blades as this component needs to be made close to the actual point of installation because of the fragility of this part. You can see more detail about this in the Wind Turbine Manufacturers portion of the site.

Currently, the cost of transportation, when weighed against the labor costs, is becoming a larger part of the equation. Cheap labor in China versus more expensive domestic manufacturing costs is balanced against the cost of energy to ship the finished products. There are a number of Federal and State incentive programs currently in place to encourage the manufacture and use of energy-efficient technologies. These may be the opening act in a resurgent manufacturing sector in the U.S. economy. New designs are coming into the marketplace that applies new thinking to turbine design. There are a number of smaller manufacturers that are developing new domestic production capacity. Companies are introducing and refining existing products suited to residential and small community applications.

Wind Turbines 101

A wind turbine is made up of four basic parts:  the tower, the nacelle, the generator and the rotor blades. In most turbines, the blades/vanes turn a gearbox which increases the output of the generator, both of which are usually located inside a housing (nacelle) which is mounted on a tower (mast) or on a roof-top. Some units utilize a direct-drive generator module. The generator converts the mechanical energy of turning blades into electrical energy. This energy is converted from DC power to AC power by use of an inverter or is stored in batteries for short-term use.

There are two types of turbines – those with a horizontal axis (or shaft) and those whose axis in vertical. The Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine [HAWT] shaft units have blades that are long and straight -- similar to those you've seen on windmills throughout history. The HAWT turbines usually have two or three blades. New versions may a curved blade allowing them to, according to their creators, operate at lower wind-speeds. The rotor shaft and electric generator at installed at the top of the tower and need to be pointed into the wind to take full advantage of the available wind energy. Smaller HAWT turbines have a wind vane to do this and larger turbines use a wind sensor and a servo motor. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine [VAWT] shaft units can be canister-like or can also be constructed using very sculptural blades arrayed in an up-right manner. The VAWT does not need to be pointed into the wind to function making it a good choice for sites where the direction of the wind is highly variable. The generator and gear box on this type of turbine can be installed near the ground and therefore do not require a tower. However, this type does have other variables, such as more expensive drive trains and lower mounting heights where there isn't as much available wind. [Photos of these various units are displayed below].

Additionally, there are three wind turbine sub-types: Darrieus, Darrieus Giromill and Savonius. The Darrieus wind turbines are also called "eggbeater" because of its appearance and were named after French inventor Georges Darrieus. The Darrieus usually requires an external power source to start turning because it has a very low starting torque. The Darrieus Giromill turbine has straight blades instead of the curved blades normally associated with the Darrieus. It has a variable pitch to reduce the torque pulsation, is more efficient operation in turbulent winds and is self-starting. The Savonius turbine is a drag-type device with scoops to catch the wind. This type of turbine is self-starting if it has at least three scoops and sometimes have long helical scoops to help give it a smoother torque.


What Size Turbine Is Needed to Power a Typical Home?

In 2008, according to the Department of Energy – Energy Information Agency, American households used an annual average of 11,040 kWh of electricity. Tennessee homes had the highest rate of consumption (15,624 kWh) while Maine had the lowest (6,252 kWh). That equals just under 1,000 kWh per month. Generally, you must be in a region that has average wind speeds of at least 12 mph to have the turbine producing at its rated capacity. Resources to help you determine whether your property is suited for a wind turbine system are listed below:

Wind Powering America

Estimating Your Wind Resource

Residential turbine output is usually rated between 2 and 10 KW for turbines with a blade diameter of between 12 to 20 feet and is based on the occupants energy usage, average wind speeds and the wind turbine\'s height above the ground. The turbines need to be tall and unobstructed to function properly. Some residential units produce as much as 50 Kw and have a blade diameter much greater than 20\'. The larger blades must be mounted higher from the ground to get them into the airflow. This blade dimension is becoming less of a factor for residential installations as manufacturers use vertical axis systems versus horizontal axis.

These links provide more detailed information about system
alternatives, measuring, sizing and case studies.


American Wind Energy Association – FAQ’s

How Stuff Works – Wind Power - Discovery Channel

Western UP, Michigan – Kinzel Residential Wind Power

Industrial Wind Action Group - Misc. Reporting – Domestic & International

Wind Manufacturer - Articles

The Kinzel link presents a study developed at Michigan Technical that includes, among other items, an interview with homeowners on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They seem to be saying that the wind system is, at best, a supplement to their lowest producing component. This is born out by a similar comparison conducted and published by the power company in the United Kingdom. While you may take issue with the messenger providing the information, the information is worth further evaluation and confirmation.

ClimateGate - Wind Turbines - The Truth

What Will a Wind Turbine Cost for My Home?

Wind turbines under 100 kilowatts cost roughly $3,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt of capacity. Purchasing and installing smaller farm or residential scale turbines that is large enough to power an average home [about 10 kilowatts] can range from $10,000 to $70,000 depending on the size of the system, height and the cost of installation. The average cost for for a system is $30,00. There are much smaller wind turbine systems [<1kW] now available that cost between $4,000 and $9,000.

Wind Energy at Jeremiah Ridge

We're considering the inclusion of a wind turbine in this project. We have hilltop whose elevation is approximately 600', The lowest point of the land is around 200'. This does create a certain convection phenomenon during the day. We have experienced quite a stiff wind blowing uphill in afternoon into the early evening on several occasions. There is standing timber on two sides of the summit – to the North and West. To take advantage of wind from those points, the turbine would need to be elevated some 100\' or more. That seems to be a nominal height for residential installations but may conflict with the zoning in some areas. That would not be the case here. We simply have to decide if the electrical production that a turbine would afford us is balanced by the visual impact of a tower of this magnitude rising up four or more times the height of our residence. Storage batteries may be the best use as opposed to a grid-tied system.

The inclusion of this system may come down to our desire for this project to be a transparent technology test bed to help others who follow our path to know what their options are - what works and how well.

WIND ENERGY MANUFACTURERS

Aeronautica Windpower - manufacturing and marketing company that builds and markets mid-scale commercial and industrial (225 to 750 Kw) wind turbines. Their turbines are now manufactured in the United States resulting in shorter shipping times and costs in North America for American-manufactured turbines, combined with a Danish turbine design. The company re-introduced the brand to the North American markets as a US built machine in 2009. The Norwin brand has a history dating back to the early 1980s when hundreds of Danwin turbines were placed in service. Many of these machines are still active. The corporate office is located in Plymouth, Massachusetts and they have joined forces with Goss International of Durham, NH to build its line of wind turbines.

Aerostar - has its corporate office and manufacturing plant located in Westport Point, Massachusetts and makes 6 meter and 11 meter turbines. Their turbines boast an induction generator with no inverter, a two-blade teetering rotor and quiet operation at all speeds. The 6 Meter wind turbine has a 22' diameter rotor. The Independence is 41.3 feet in diameter so it sweeps about 3 times the area of the 6 Meter. This means at a similar height and at a similar wind site, one should expect about 3 times the power from the Independence turbine.

AVANTIS - a group of enterprises focusing on renewable energies, with a strong emphasis on wind power. The group comprises companies from the US, Brazil, Europe, and Asia and has kept a low profile while concentrating on developing new technologies for the wind industry. They have now created their first wind turbines featuring permanent magnet generators, the core of the direct drive turbines and no gear box. Their wind turbine manufacturing plant is located in Beihei, Guangxi province, China.

A&C Green Energy, Inc. - founded in 1999 and located in Plano, Texas, the company specializes in manufacturing, integrating and marketing small wind systems in North America, Central America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. Their Talon series of downwind turbines feature an exclusive Variable Pitch Technology for producing maximum power up to 56mph. The company offers grid-tie and off-grid solutions to power any climate and any location. The power ratings of the turbines range from 2,000W to 30kW and are backed with a 6 year warranty. We do not yet have information on where the company\'s turbines are manufactured.

Bergey Wind Power - has its origins in research activities at the University of Oklahoma dating back to 1970. These activities included feasibility studies, consultation to the original NSF/ERDA wind program, and the construction of three experimental wind turbines. BWC\'s first product line was the BWC 1000 and over 600 of these 1 kW systems were delivered between 1980 and 1990, when it was superseded by a larger 1.5 kW unit. Bergey wind turbines are now available in two sizes, a 10 kW unit primarily used for reducing utility bills and a 1 kW primarily used for off-grid applications. BWC\'s primary manufacturing facility is a 23,000 ft factory in Norman, Oklahoma. BWC also has a subsidiary, Beijing Bergey Windpower Co., in China with an office in downtown Beijing and a factory in the outskirts.

Cascade Renewable Energy - a division of Cascade Engineering, Inc. headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provides energy efficiency and distributed renewable energy solutions tailored for residential, community, and commercial needs. They design, develop, manufacture, market and distribute clean energy products. Their first product to market is the SWIFT Wind Turbine, a structure or pole mountable wind turbine that provides a quiet, cost-effective renewable energy source for residential, community and commercial use. Cascade Renewable Energy is the manufacturer of all SWIFT Wind Turbine rotors installed worldwide and performs assembly of the turbines from components shipped from Scotland for all turbines sold in the United States and Canada.

Cascade Wind Corp. - name changed to Zxeres Wind Corp. in early 2010

Cleanfield Energy Corp. - is a subsidiary of Cleanfield Alternative Energy Inc. with corporate offices in Ontario, Canada. Cleanfield develops, markets and distributes proprietary, renewable energy products. Their Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) features three-metre long vertical blades that rotate around a central axis. These wind turbines are designed for both tower (ground-mount) and rooftop installation (roof-mount) and can produce clean renewable energy for commercial, industrial, retail, institutional, agricultural and residential markets. It is not clear at this time where they manufacture their products but we do know that they have recently signed an agreement with SAI Prasad Energy Pvt. Ltd in Pune, India with plans to establish a manufacturing facility in 2011 to produce their turbines and photovoltaic panels.
 

Clipper Windpower - has its headquarters in Carpinteria, California and manufacturing facilities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the maker of the 2.5-megawatt Liberty wind turbine, one of the largest wind turbines made in the US. The Liberty wind turbine is variable speed with a unique, distributed powertrain, four permanent magnet generators and advanced power electronics. Since June 2006, it has had orders to provide 2,240 units of the Liberty machine. The company also has a presence in the UK, where it is developing a much larger wind turbine designed for offshore wind farms, the Britannia, which is to have a nameplate capacity of 7.5MW. Clipper was acquired by United Technologies in December 2010. We hope that United Technologies will keep their manufacturing facility in the United States.

DongFang Electric - has its headquarters in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, which named as the “Heavenly Land on Earth” and the “Hometown of Giant Panda”, is one of the largest backbone enterprise groups under the direct administration of Chinese Central Government. The company has a strong manufacturing capability and produces many types renewable energy technologies. DEC has already built its own production line for solar polysilicon, solar cell, solar module, inverter, and other solar power generation equipment. Currently, the annual production of polysilicon is up to 2,200 tons, and the annual production of solar cell reaches 420MW~480MW in 2011. The annual manufacturing capacity of DEC Hydro has reached 8000MW, and the product line covers all types of hydro units ranging from 1MW to 700MW. The hydro generating units supplied by DEC have been in operation in more than twenty countries. DEC can manufacture and supply wind turbine generator sets with unit capacity covering 1MW, 1.5MW, 2MW, 2.5MW, which are suitable for different wind conditions and climate requirements. The annual production of capacity will reach up to more than 2000 sets in 2010. All manufacturing plants are located in China.
 

Eviro-Energies - with roots in both the United States and Canada, is the exclusive worldwide license holder for the manufacturing and distribution of the patented Magnetic (MagLev) Vertical Axis Wind Turbines™ (MVAWT). Their turbines have been designed specifically for taking advantage of the roof effect winds of buildings of all shapes and sizes, which could potentially lower the average winds needed for ample power outputs. The company lists corporate offices in Ontario, Canada and The Woodlands, Texas. Formet Industries, a division of Magna Structural Systems and located in Ontario, is the exclusive manufacturer of choice to assemble and manufacture their MVAWT turbine.
 

Gaia-Wind - with global headquarters in Glasgow, Scotland, their turbines are developed and manufactured in Denmark and incorporate more than 20 years of Danish wind industry design experience, which is the design basis for most commercial wind turbines in the market. To date, there are over 200 worldwide Gaia-Wind installations, representing over 1000 years of combined operational history. The company\'s Gaia-Wind 133-11kW wind turbine is specifically designed to optimize performance in areas with low to moderate annual wind speed regimes (10-12mph). The turbine’s oversized rotor will allow it to capture up to 80% more energy than other similarly rated machines.
 

Gamesa - is headquartered in Zaimudio, Spain and has over 6,000 employees. Gamesa designs and manufactures its own blades, root joints, and manufacturing molds for blades and towers, in addition to performing wind turbine assembly. In addition, Gamesa has other companies that manufacture other major components of the wind turbine, such as gearboxes, generators and converters. The company has seven plants of its own for the assembly of its wind turbines -- most located in China. In addition to two factories currently under construction, Gamesa has four manufacturing centres (blades, nacelle, generators and gearbox assembly) in the province of Tianjin, home to the company’s largest manufacturing base outside of Spain. When Jilin and Inner Mongolia come online in 2011, Gamesa\'s production capacity in China will total 1,500 MW per year. The company also has production centers of its own for the production of wind turbines towers through the company Windar. These centers are located in Navarra, Asturias, Zaragoza and Jaén and has an equipment plant also in Navarra. Gamesa has been operating in the US since 2005; it has two manufacturing plants in Pennsylvania, with production capacity of over 1,000 MW/year, and employs over 800 people in the U.S. In January 2011, the company was awarded a contract to supply a total of 10 MW of capacity for the wind farm being developed by Western Wind Energy Corporation for UniSource Electric Inc. in Kingman, Arizona.
 

GE Wind Power - a leading wind turbine supplier with over 13,500 wind turbine installations worldwide comprising more than 218 million operating hours and 127,000 GWh of energy produced. The company has wind manufacturing and assembly facilities in Germany, Norway, China, Canada and the United States. Their current product portfolio includes wind turbines with rated capacities ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 megawatts and support services ranging from development assistance to operation and maintenance. The company\'s 1.5 MW machine is active yaw and pitch regulated with power/torque control capability and an asynchronous generator. It uses a bedplate drive train design where all nacelle components are joined on a common structure, providing exceptional durability. Their 2.5 MW wind turbine offers an optional noise-reduced operation mode so that it can be deployed even at sites with the most stringent noise restraints, while simultaneously maintaining a high energy yield.
 

Goldwind - a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer based in Urumqi, Xinjiang and founded in 1989. The company is one of the largest turbine manufacturer in China and one of the top five in the world with operations in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. The company specializes in researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing large-sized wind turbine generator sets. The company\'s major products include 600 kilowatt (kW), 750 kW, 1.2 megawatt (MW), 1.5MW Permanent Magnet Direct Drive (PMDD), 2.5MW PMDD series wind turbine sets. In 2008, the company completed acquisition of the majority share of German Vensys in order concentrate on the development of its direct drive wind turbine technology. After the acquisition of Vensys, Goldwind also bought the subsidiary companies that produced converters and variable propeller systems for Vensys, through Vensys in Germany. Goldwind\'s CEO is now the Chairman of VENSYS Supervisory Board. Goldwind America was incorporated at the end of 2009 and in May 2010, Goldwind announced the opening of its North American office in Chicago.

Home Energy International - in Holland has created the Energy Ball, an egg beater shaped wind turbine. The turbine has rotors bent around in a ball shape so that they primarily move parallel to the wind and generates less noise than the wind itself. This is not the first wind turbine to resemble an egg-beater. The Darrieus wind turbine has a similar shape and has been around for almost 80 years. The difference with the Energy Ball is that it has a horizontal axis, not a vertical one. And it uses a different kind of physics -- called the Venturi effect.&nbIt works at speeds as slow 4.5 mph while the average turbine needs about twice that to turn. has rotors bent around in a ball shape so that they primarily move parallel to the wind. This generates less noise. The Energy Balls are sold in 1 and 2 meter versions, for $3,500 and $7,000 - not including installation. The company\'s products also include solar panels for generating electricity, central heating systems heated with biomass, solar boilers for hot water. Unfortunately, their website does not give much information on where their products are manufactured.
 

HummerWind - located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the company manufactures 5W, 10W and 20W small wind power turbines that are low-noise, low-maintenance, grid-tie capable, direct drive, with a patented in-the-hub power generation technology. Their turbines are actually manufactured in Hefei,  Anhui province, China by  Anhui Hummer Dynamo Co., Ltd. Anhui Hummer\'s wind turbine products are also found in more than 70 countries and regions.

Hurricane Wind Power -  a family-owned business located in Roanoke, Virginia, they have just introduced three complete wind generator kits - Hurricane Cat 3, Hurricane Cat 4 and Hurricane Cat 5. The company states that their new wind generators are capable of powering an average American home. In December 2009 the company released a 500 model, with 750, and 1000 watt models. The wind turbines feature 3 blades with an optional 5 blade rotor for low wind areas. They are rated at a conservative One and Two Kilowatt models that hook directly to a residential grid without the use of storage batteries. The generators are made out of all new parts and made in the USA - Lousville, Kentucky, Houston, Texas, Roanoke, Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia.

Nordic Windpower - a technology developer and manufacturer of innovative, two-bladed wind turbines for the rapidly expanding global wind market. Nordic’s technology dates back to a 20-year $75 million investment in R&D by the Swedish Government in 1975. Nordic Windpower in its current form was founded in 2005 as a US entity for global commercialization of the Nordic turbine technology. They offer a two-blade turbine offers simpler installation and lower maintenance requirements for a lower total cost of energy, as well as lower noise and reduced flicker. The company is US based, with corporate offices in Berkeley, California, manufacturing in Pocatello, Idaho, and engineering design in Bristol UK. They announced in December 2010 will relocate its headquarters and operations from California and Idaho to Kansas City and create over 200 jobs in the next six years.

Northern Power Systems -  with corporate offices and a 120,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Barre, Vermont. The company has been delivering innovative wind energy solutions in a changing landscape for over 34 years. They have had partnerships with the Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) which helped lay the foundation for Northern Power’s advanced wind turbine technology. The company  currently manufactures the Northern Power100 turbine, designed specifically for community wind applications such as schools/universities, businesses, commercial farms, and municipalities. Later this year, the company plans to launch a 2.2MW turbine into the utility-scale marketplace for wind farm applications. Northern Power Systems is a fully integrated company that designs, manufactures, and sells wind turbines into the global marketplace. In 2010, Northern announced the acquisition of Knight & Carver Wind Group’s community wind turbine blade manufacturing business in South Dakota.
 

PACWind - was acquired by WePower LLC in February 2010, and in January 2010, WePower, announced that it would be merging with Clearfield Alternative Energy Inc so that the combined company can act as a global leader in the production of wind turbines and other renewable energy sources.
 

PowerWind -  is a German company that produces wind energy converters with rated outputs of 900 kW and 2500 kW and which also supplies services specifically related to these products. This company was founded in 2007 and is financed by Warburg Pincus, an international investor. PowerWind GmbH has two locations in Germany - Hamburg and Bremerhaven. The manufacturing facility in Bremerhaven offers 5,000 m² of space and its two production lines are among the most modern in the world. The PowerWind 56 is a variable-speed, pitch-controlled wind turbine with a rated output of 900 kW and is certified under the IEC wind class IIA. The PowerWind 90/100 is modeled after the proven modular drive train concept. The wind turbine has a rated power of 2500 kW and a 90/100 m rotor diameter.

Proven Energy - in business since 1980 and located in Ayrshire, Scotland the company has a range of wind turbines designed as downwind machines with passive yaw, pitch and coning control producing maximum yield in a wide range of wind speeds. Their products stand out from other small wind turbines because of its patented blade assembly, which allows the wind turbines to regulate their speed, maximizing output. As the wind gets stronger, the blades pitch and cone to reduce their aerodynamic efficiency. This lets their turbine maintain a high output even in the fiercest storms, unlike many turbines which need to be put on brake to protect themselves at high wind speeds.
 

quietrevolution - is located in London and has a 25,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Pembroke Dock, South Wales for the manufacture and assembly of their wind turbines. Their turbine is elegant helical (twisted) design ensuring a robust performance even in turbulent winds and virtually eliminating noise and vibration. The turbine is five metres high and three metres in diameter and because it is compact, easy to integrate and has just one moving part, maintenance can be limited to an annual inspection. Their clients include major retailers, developers, government departments, schools and universities.
 

Raum Energy Inc. - is a Canadian-based wind energy company focused on developing and manufacturing highly robust and reliable wind turbines and grid-tie inverters. We provide a complete wind energy system - turbine, grid-tie inverter and tower. The  company manufactures a 1.5kW and 3.5kW wind turbine system that were both designed in-house. Both turbines are designed so the end-user can install the turbine without cranes, harnesses or climbing and to operate at sites with wind speed averages of 3 m/s and greater (11 km/h or 7 mph).  The company website gives no information on where their turbines are manufactured.

REpower - internationally operating wind turbine producer headquartered in Hamburg, Germany founded in 2001. The company is a leading manufacturer for wind turbines for onshore and offshore applications. The product portfolio comprises several types of turbines with rated outputs ranging between 1.8 and 6.15 megawatts. The variable speed generator, converter system, and pitch control of the well established and successful 1.5MW MD series laid the foundation for the windpower plants of the MM series. The second generation of these high-performance power plants offers the same high reliability and maximum power output as previous models. Due to the leading technology and innovative solutions developed by REpower, the company\'s wind turbines can be fully integrated into the existing power grid. The company\'s turbines are manufactured at their plants in Husum (North Frisia), Trampe (Brandenburg) and Bremerhaven as well as in China and Portugal. Additionally, Suzlon has a share of over 90 per cent in REpower and Mr. Tulsi Tanti, the founder of Suzlon, is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of REpower.

Seaforth Energy - with corporate office and manufacturing plant in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and a US office in Greenville, SC, the company manufactures the AOC 15/50, the world’s leading and most reliable 50kW wind turbine. The AOC 15/50 is a state-of-the-art 50kW wind turbine, which provides emission-free electrical energy for off- grid village electrification, remote community wind-diesel integration and local grid support.  Seaforth Energy Inc was formerly known as MaManna Renewable Energy Corporation and still uses the MaManna brand name. The parent company is Seaforth Engineering Company which provides marine engineering and geomatics services, wind engineering and renewable energy systems globally. 
 

Southwest Wind Power - Established in 1987 with headquarters in Flagstaff, Arizona, the company is a leading supplier of distributed wind generators. The company also has operations in Cologne, Germany and a joint venture in Ningbo, China. Applications for Southwest Windpower systems include residential homes, commercial properties, micro grids, remote cabins, telecom transmitters, offshore platforms, water pumping and sailboats. They have their own 34,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility located in West Flagstaff, Arizona. Southwest Windpower is the manufacturer of such well-known products including Skystream, Whisper and Air lines of distributed wind systems.

The company's first product was a 300 watt wind generator called the WINDSEEKER®. This was a simple design made from a modified Ford alternator. In 2008, the company introduced the Air Breeze™, the latest generation of AIR – the world’s most popular small wind generator. New, quieter blades, advanced electronics for optimized energy output, and more durable body castings, make the Air Breeze well-suited for remote homes and cabins, rural communication towers, monitoring stations, boats and RVs. They developed and began shipping Skystream 3.7® to North American customers in 2006. Skystream offers a simple, all-in-one solution to harnessing wind energy on a residential scale. Different from all other technologies, Skystream is the first all-inclusive small wind generator with the controls and inverter built in. Their most recent edition is Skystream 600 and will be the first fully smart grid-enabled wind turbine when available to the public in April 2011, making it easy for consumers to connect their homes or businesses to wind-generated electricity. With its state-of-the-art interactive Skyview™ system, users can monitor exactly how much energy the wind turbine is producing from anywhere internet access is available.
 

Suzlon - founded in 1995 in Pune, India with just 20 people, the company now has over 16,000 employees in 25 countries. The company’s global spread reflects in its projects and markets portfolio – extending across Asia, Australia, Europe, South Africa and North and South America. Suzlon is a highly vertically integrated wind turbine manufacturer with manufacturing capability along the full value chain – from components to complete wind turbine systems. Suzlon has a share of over 90 per cent in REpower, a leading turbine producer in Germany. Manufacturing facilities for their products are located in Tiajen, China, Pipestone, Minnesota and several locations in India.

Swift - a division of Cascade Engineering, the company offers a roof or pole-mountable wind turbine that generates electricity by harnessing the power of the wind. With unique, patented technologies the SWIFT provides unprecedented safe, efficient, and near silent operation. A partnership with the original designers of SWIFT, the UK-based company Renewable Devices, has allowed Grand Rapids, Michigan\'s own Cascade Engineering, Inc. to become the proud manufacturer and marketer of the SWIFT Wind Turbine for North America.

Urban Green Energy - located in Manhattan, New York,  the company designs, manufactures, and markets cutting-edge vertical axis wind and hybrid wind/solar streetlamps. UGE owns its own production headquartersnear Beijing in China\'s Hebei Province with 25 acres of land and 35,000 square feet of factory space. The company developed and patented the eddy, a revolutionary new dual axis design that eliminates the main concern of other vertical axis wind turbines, that of premature bearing failure. The eddy is also designed to be assembled in less than an hour, mounted virtually anywhere and produce energy no matter where the wind comes from. 

VENSYS Energy AG - founded in 2000 in Germany, the company\'s wind turbines are manufactured in several countries all over the world. There are committed licensees of the VENSYS technology in China, Spain, India and Brazil. VENSYS states that pioneering technology "Made in Germany" associated with a worldwide manufacturing and direct contact their our customers on all important markets are characteristic features for the VENSYS wind turbines. The licensees have the right to manufacture and sell wind turbines according to VENSYS design. This is the reason why Goldwind (China) from 2003 on, Eozen (Spain) in 2004, Regen Powertech (India) and Enerwind / IMPSA Wind (Brazil) in 2007 have become the license partner of VENSYS. The Chinese market leader Godwind has acquired majority share of German Vensys in order concentrate on the development of its direct drive wind turbine technology. After the acquisition of Vensys, Goldwind also bought the subsidiary companies that produced converters and variable propeller systems for Vensys, through Vensys in Germany. Additionally the CEO and Executive Director of Goldwind, Mr. Wu Gang, is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of VENSYS 

Ventera Energy - corporate offices are located in Duluth, Minnesota. The company manufactures the 10 kilowatt VT10 Wind Turbine, with an exclusive taper leg self-supporting tower and the first ever dual wind and solar input, dual peak power tracking 12 kilowatt VI12 Synchronous Inverter. In wind regimes having 12.5 mph-5.5m/s or better average wind speeds at 30 feet (10 meters elevation), they state that they have achieved our goal of a 10-year payback for many if not most potential users. Their turbine is made in Duluth, Minnesota of US and imported parts.

Vestas - headquartered in Denmark, the company was founded in 1898 by H.S. Hansen, a blacksmith, in the small town of Lem in Denmark. He and his son, Peder Hansen, manufactured steel windows for industrial buildings. During the second oil crisis, Vestas began to examine the potential of the wind turbine as an alternative source of and delivered the first wind turbines in 1979. 

WePOWER - - based in  Aliso Viejo, CA, the company is a manufacturer, developer and marketer of green products including Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) and Solar Thermal Water Heating Systems. Their family  of energy producing wind turbines includes the VAWT Falcon line, with available sizes including: 600W, 1.2kW, 3.4kW, 5.5kW and 12kW. PACwind was acquired by WePower LLC in February 2010.  WePOWER\'s PacWind line of innovative, patented turbines have only a few moving parts moving parts are the components of a device that undergo continuous or frequent motion, most commonly rotation. "Parts" only include the mechanical components which does not include fuel, or any other gas or liquid. In January 2010, WePower announced that it would be merging with Clearfield Alternative Energy Inc so that the combined company can act as a global leader in the production of wind turbines and other renewable energy sources. WePOWER\'s current manufacturing facilities are located in California, Minnesota, Ohio and Virginia.

Wind Energy Solutions - located in Opmeer, The Netherlands, the company has been in business since 1983. They are the manufacturer of the WES18 and WES30 midsize wind turbines and is the manufacturer of the Tulipo. WES sells turbines through a certified global dealer network. The original design of the successful WES18 wind turbine is from the Dutch wind turbine pioneer Henk Lagerwey about 30 years ago. Wind Energy Solutions Canada is a fully-owned subsidiary of WES.

Windflow -- headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, the company is primarily a wind turbine design and assembly company, whose main capabilities are in wind turbine manufacturing, engineering design, research and development, production engineering, wind farm development, operations & maintenance. Windflow assembles nacelles in its factory in Christchurch. The components are supplied from all over New Zealand and, in fact, 90% of the components are kiwi-made. The tower and the blades are transported directly to the wind farm site where they meet up with the nacelles. The factory has existing production of 60 turbines a year, and production capability to expand to 200 turbines a year. Approximately 50 staff are working in the factory and office in Christchurch and on wind farm sites.  Additionally, their subsidiary Wind Blades Ltd., with a staff of approximately 10 people, manufactures tooling and supply volume production for the Windflow 500 rotor blades, and a wide range of composite products for other customers.

Windspire - founded in 2005 and formerly Mariah Power, the company manufacturers a wind turbine that is an affordable, attractive, and silent 1.2 kW vertical axis wind power appliance. Standing only 30 feet tall, the sleek design is well-suited to residential, business, and many other applications. Independently-tested and UL-certified, the Windspire features a fully-integrated design, including a high-efficiency generator, integrated inverter, wireless performance monitor, and tilt-up monopole. Winspire is located in Reno, Nevada. The company website states that the Windspire is made in Manistee, Michigan through MasTech Manufacturing and is available through dealers.

Wind Turbine Industries Inc. - located in Prior Lake, Minnesota, the company acquired Jacobs wind energy products in 1986 and has been the sole manufacturer since that timne. The Jacobs wind turbines are considered by many to be the "Cadillac" of wind turbine industry.  The company currently manufactures a 20 KW Wind Turbine and the 10 KW thru 17.5 KW de rated system 20 KW with smaller blades. The company website states that their products are made in the USA but does not tell us exactly where their manufacturing plant is actually located.
 

Windiva Energy - with headquarters in New Delhi, India, the company also has an office in Atlanta, Georgia. Windiva offers a whole range of small scale wind turbines ranging from 600 Watt to 50 Kilo Watts. The company says that their turbines are inexpensive, reliable and simple; make it the best choice for low wind speed residential and commercial applications. The turbine catches wind from all directions creating smooth powerful torque to spin the electric generator and produce electricity. There is no information on where their wind products are manufactured.

Zxeres Wind Corp - formerly Cascade Wind Corp., acquired the assets of Abundant Renewable Energy, LLC in early 2010 and the company is now designing, developing, manufacturing, selling, and supporting distributive generation wind turbine solutions. The company is located in Wilsonville, Oregon and their product portfolio includes 2.5 kW and 10 kW rated power systems, with additional larger systems in development. Each system is comprised of a wind turbine, power electronics, towers, and auxiliary components providing a complete solution for residential, micro-grid based rural electrification, agricultural, small business, rural electric utility systems, as well as other private, corporate infrastructure and government applications. Their website does not make it clear where their wind turbines are manufactured.