Honeywell Windtronics
The following are a series of articles about the “Honeywell” Windtronics roof top wind turbine. This design first came to prominence in western Michigan in late 2008. The development, promotion, and marketing of this design should serve as a cautionary tale. At the time, the wind turbine was hyped as “revolutionary”. While it was novel it was not revolutionary. Others had built “bicycle wheel” turbines before and, of course, others had also tried to use circumferential magnets at the edge of the wheel. It did not end well for all concerned, including the state of Michigan and the province of Ontario.
Honeywell Windtronics Photos–What It Looks Like
By
Paul Gipe
These are photos of the Honeywell Windtronics turbine on display at a vendors booth at the CanSIA exhibition in Toronto, December 5, 2011.
Windsor Star: Frustrated turbine firm scales back Windsor production
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Windtronics Inc. has scaled back production of small residential and commercial wind turbines at its Windsor plant because incentives for such projects have not yet been included in the province’s Green Energy Act, says the president of the Michigan-based company.
Consumer Reports: a new wind turbine delivers little
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But so far, we’ve seen only a fraction of the total power that WindTronics says we should for our area, even after several visits from a company-authorized installer. At that rate, the Honeywell wouldn’t pay its way over its expected life of 20 years.
Windtronics Turbine Removed from French Test Site
By
Paul Gipe
A Windtronics wind turbine under test at SEPEN in southern France was removed within the first month of operation, according to Jay Hudnall, an expert in the French small wind turbine industry.
Honeywell Windtronics Update on Recommendation for 12 mph Sites
By
Paul Gipe
After posting my article Honeywell Windtronics WT6500 Report from the Field, the president of the company contacted me to note that their web site clearly says that they recommend using the turbine only at sites with a 12 mph average annual wind speed.
Honeywell Windtronics WT6500: Report from the Field
By
Paul Gipe
Retired civil engineer Lynn Shafer wants to do the right thing and leave the world a better place for future generations. In 2010 he installed 5 kW of solar PV on his house near Sedalia, Missouri. There’s not a lot of solar PV in Missouri, the “show me state” and when Shafer installed his system the local paper published a page one spread on the project.
