Category Archives: Rooftop madness

rooftop lunacy exposed

New blades capture 99% of next to no power in the city

Posted on 19/01/2017 by hugh

An article has just come out in Engineering and Technology  describing how new super-efficient blades are going to make it viable to put wind turbines in the city. “Small wind turbines (like the one pictured above) are often installed in urban … Continue reading →

Posted in Rooftop madness, UK small wind scene | 2 Comments

More good articles on Paul Gipe’s web site

Posted on 30/06/2013 by hugh

http://www.wind-works.org/ is Paul Gipe’s site and see more links below. Paul Gipe has published more good stuff on his web site recently about the ‘stuff that doesn’t work’ in the small wind industry today.  It’s a breath of fresh air … Continue reading →

Posted in People, products/technical, Rooftop madness, wind systems tutorial | 1 Comment

Radio masts

Posted on 27/06/2013 by hugh

Assessing a site for a wind turbine is easier these days with good, cheap, loggers available.  But the anemometer needs to be at a suitable height above buildings, trees etc, and not just mounted on a rooftop. Here are three … Continue reading →

Posted in Rooftop madness, UK small wind scene, wind systems tutorial | Leave a comment

Paul Gipe reports further embarrassing mis-use of small wind turbines in the city…

Posted on 25/05/2012 by hugh

Reno Nevada Proves -Again that Small Urban Wind Produces Poor Results. “The City paid more than $20,000 for a Helix turbine, famous for other “worst turbine install in history” accomplishments, that generated an incredible 34 kWh in the two years … Continue reading →

Posted in People, Rooftop madness | 8 Comments

Coleman wonder turbine gives 3x the Betz limit!

Posted on 11/04/2012 by hugh

Thanks to Doug Selsam for this helpful commentary on the Coleman 600W turbine that is only 2 feet in diameter and produces three times the notoriously obsolete “Betz limit“.

Posted in products/technical, Rooftop madness | 4 Comments

Helix Wind Asset Sale

Posted on 10/04/2012 by hugh

The company’s largest creditor is requiring that the assets of Helix Wind Corp and Helix Wind Inc, both Nevada Corporations, be sold via a public auction held at the company’s office on May 11, 2012 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time … Continue reading →

Posted in products/technical, Rooftop madness | 6 Comments

All readings are based on open current voltage and shorted load

Posted on 03/01/2012 by hugh

This is just a word of warning for those who are thinking of buying modified car alternators from http://www.hurricanewindpower.com/ or http://www.prestowind.com/ —-             I did have rather a nice photo of some alternators and parts here but Tim at Presto asked me … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, products/technical, Rooftop madness | 17 Comments

Another wind turbine scam

Posted on 18/10/2011 by hugh

People will buy anything.  It’s important to check out the product!

Posted in Rooftop madness | 1 Comment

Dyocore in San Diego

Posted on 23/09/2011 by hugh

By claiming for a 1.6 kW wind turbine on your roof, you could get it paid for by California State subsidies.  This one can produce that much (in the sales pitch) although it’s only the size of a 200 watt … Continue reading →

Posted in products/technical, Rooftop madness, wind systems tutorial | Leave a comment

The old diffuser scam resurfaces in Japan

Posted on 06/09/2011 by hugh

Yawn Here we go again with claims of getting 3 times as much power by putting a fancy hoop around the wind turbine and mounting it at ground level.  And people will get fooled again and lose their money again. … Continue reading →

Posted in products/technical, Rooftop madness, Video links | 3 Comments