Note: Images and Video © Lucid Dream Productions
Wind turbines designed to be installed on rooftops are generating a lot interest lately. These compact turbines can be located on top of buildings, or attached to other parts of large structures like bridges. In turns out, though, that installing wind turbine in a city environment is a bit of an art. That’s because each building has it’s own unique wind footprint, and nearby buildings also tend to generate strange wind patterns. So placing the wind turbines in the right place is key. The other challenge is to make these turbine noise-free and visually unobtrusive.
For many years, a fellow named Bil Becker has been hard at work developing his Aerotecture turbines. The turbines are elegant devices which incorporate both Savonius and Darrieus styles into one turbine (pictured here). His company has been installing these turbines in a few test locations around Chicago like the Near North Apartments at the Mercy Lakefront Housing.
This installation features eight Aeroturbines mounted horizontally to the roof of this 96-unit housing development. The building, designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects, is a fine example of building-integrated wind energy technology. The geometry and orientation of the building was designed specifically to increase the speed of the wind as it flows over the roof.
Here’s a video clip about the turbines:
So how power do these turbines produce? The Aerotecture FAQ says: “The estimated rated output of the 510V is 1kW in 30 mph winds; the estimated rating for the 520H is 1.8kW.” As for the price:
The 510V Aeroturbine has an estimated cost of $15,000; the 520H Aeroturbine has an estimated cost of $21,000. This price includes the full system: rotors, cages, all the custom mounting structures, and electronic equipment (batteries are optional and sold separately). The cost of Aeroturbines will dramatically decrease with the advent of mass production.
If you are interested in a wind turbine for you home, the best one you can get is a Skystream
Link: Aerotecture
See also this article by Chicago Conscious Choice on Bil Becker and Aerotecture.
Read more! Related stories:
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
I am assembling a budget for a new construction project in Highland park
The project is calling for one of your wind turbines,
can you please send some literature on who is installing these, as well as the technical data as to how much they weigh etc. etc.
I am very much interested in this Technology, and wants to know well in detail about your Products. I consider it to be the NEXT GENERATION REQUIREMENTS AND BUSINESS. I request you to kindly send us your Product Details - Catalogue via mail or on our Address.
Thanking you and loking forward to receive your prompt and positive reply.
For, SAMEER ENTERPRISE
11, STERLING APPARTMENT,
OPP. ALFRED HIGH SCHOOL,
JAWAHAR ROAD,
RAJKOT - 360 001
(GUJARAT - INDIA.)
Ph: 00 91 281 222 0731, 662 0731
Fax: 00 91 281 244 1446
Email: samson_priyanka@yahoo.com
I am extemly interested in this field and would like some information on how to get started. I believe in your product but have no idea what my first step should be. My phone # is 1951 377 2395. My address is 13568 Calico Pl. Chino ,Ca 91710. Any help you could render would be much appreciated. Thank you.
This is exactly what I have been looking for. Please e-mail everything you can.
I am very very interested to become a distributor of your product. Please communicate with me mcmercurio@yahoo.com
I am very very interested to BUY your product. Please communicate with me mcmercurio@yahoo.com
READY TO BUY…
I am interested in selling and installing your wind turbins or wind solar matrix in commercial application, both, new construction and retrofit.
I have two 60 silos that I want to convert for wind energy turbine. Please contact me. I also want to start a wind farm in MI on the barn roofs and ground
I have two 60 silos that I want to convert for wind energy turbine. Please contact me. I also want to start a wind farm in MI on the barn roofs and ground. please contact me at ktmcarr@hotmail.com. Ready to buy.
Dear Sir, I live in Northern Canada and see the potential benifits of this type of installation. Can you please forward me information on your product and the possibility of distributor ship for this region of Canada.
Regards, Shane Wasylucha
contact: wazie@theedge.ca
It’s simply marvellous . please send me the details of Rooftop wind power/Rooftop solar power.
you should try and get these windturbines in Manhattan in the financial district/battery park area near the staten island ferry, it is always terribly windy there. Some of those finanical firms like jpmorgan, may like it as all those comapnies are looking into green/enviro issuess
HAVE A SMALL COMMERCIAL BUILDING
IM INTERESTED IN WIND POWER
ATTN PEOPLE: >>>you have to click the http://www.aerotecture.com link above–or type it in your browser–to actually GO to the site that can sell you equipment or send you information. THIS PAGE IS ONLY NEWS…NOT A COMPANY SITE.
We are ready in Vancouver BC to move forward with your technology. Ken 694-628-1762
Moving forward in Vanh 604-628-1762
Sir, I am very much intrested in roof top wind turbine equipment kindly send me the complete detail, costing, installation etc and delearship details on email. Place : Bangalore, India.
My firm is located in the Chicago area and I am very very interested in your product. Please communicate with me on how we can install this system.
My firm is located in the Chicago area and we are very interested in your system. Please send me info on how we purchase and install this system.
It is excellent we are too keen to see in india if you could send more litrature about this product and price .and every home will have one all that is required is to produce 2 KW power for home and advance technology in batteries it would revolutnise the world where ever the wind force is avilable in the world.
Useful product…must be expensive…
pl.furnish product and sales details.
Don’t mean to throw a wet blanket on all this- but I drive by those turbines in Chicago everyday–they look great…but don’t seem to spin worth a damn.
Make sure you get third party testing data before you venture in. I may be wrong…but that’s what we all see.
I am verymuch interested in the windturbine for the home use. I am having small bunglow. I am thinking of installing small wind turbine on the terrace of my bunglow.If you can help, please reply.
Peter,
That is actually a design feature - the units are not intended to spin quickly. Fast spinning blades are dangerous in urban environments - exactly why wind farms are out in the boondocks. Just think about the birds that would become ground meat if these moved too fast. The slower movements are also meant to be quieter as well.
The design feature is comparatively good. Can you give me more details about the performance of this turbine which versus with the length and diameter of the turbine. Also Please send me the details of the generator. It is better if it can produce AC 230 Volt 50Hz without need of an inverter.
do you make it in domestic and industrial sizes ? give prices &sizes
Hi. I am from Ukraine. Our company “Ecothermoengineering ” works with energy saving technologies st the Ukrainian market. We work in different sectors. We find this wind turbine technology very interesting.
Can you please send me technical information and prices of your product range.
Thank you in advance.
Looking forward to further cooperation.
krivulin.s@rambler.ru
I require information on your system. I would like to intigrate it into my properties.
We are building a resort in central VA and are interested in adding two rooftop wind turbine systems. Can someone send me info and help with pricing?
Please send info. for selling or distributing your wind turbines.
Very Interested.
I would like to schedule a meeting to discuss distributor/installer options. Please reply or call 773-772-8800.
Please send more info about this new type of Windturbines. We are building our new headquater in Luxemburg, The Solarwind-building project.
Looking forward to get information about new, innovativ, efficient technics and materials
Please send prixe expectations, technical details, installation and delivery information ( to europe)
Please provide me with contact information on purchase and installation of this equipment.
please send me info on the rooftop equipment. thank you
I am extremely interested in alternative energy. I would like as much information on your products for possible sales in the Washington DC area.
Thanks!
Please email us cost and specifics for rooftop installations.
I still haven’t seen the first sale.
This roof top turbines are very interesting. pl. send me the tecnical detials to implement some energy saving in my home and workplace.
cool, sign me up
It was a pleasure to visit your web site and go through your offerings. I am paticularly impressed / intersted in Hybrid energy systems for residences. Kindly let me know if it is viable to have it in India / Bangalore and if you have any installations (and if you can share their performance).
Grateful if you could share data on wind speed / sun exposure in Bangalore (with source of data) and what output could be expected from the system. You may also advice on the cost.
Look forward to hearing from you at the earliest.
–
Regards,
Nagendra K Rao
We are screening various wind power equipments and turbine suppliers in India for Township projects and Residential highrises. We are expecting ths will reduce the dependancy on govt. power supply and effective way of township branding in local cutomers and end users. Pls elaborate on efficiency, cost, life cycle of your product line and weitage if imported in bulk. Pls contact via email.
I am working on a PROJECT LEAD THE WAY for my high school, where we will be installing wind turbines atop the school to power two science labs about 6kw. Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you Andrew
I am in a very windy location in Utah. I believe that my company could benefit greatly from your product. Will you send me more info via E-mail?I have two buildings that I would like to apply this system to. I require large amounts of energy and I believe this will help cut my cost monthly in half!
I live in North Central Ohio. Please E-Mail me the costs and specifics for your rooftop installations. Especially the Skystream turbine. Thank You
Doug .