Renewable Devices Swift

Like many other rooftop wonders in the late 2000s the Swift arrived in an embarrassing blaze of hype. And, like all the rest, it’s gone. Though it took an agonizingly long time for them to disappear.

I remember being “ambushed” by a supposedly sophisticated Michigan manufacturer about this thing. Without forewarning I walked into their shop for lunch one day and as I sat down to eat my sandwich they asked that infamous question, “What do you think of this?” They then pointed to a Renewable Devices Swift on a stand in the corner. After nearly losing my lunch I calmed down and asked them a series of leading questions. The upshot? They had already invested in the “product” and were installing them on rooftops around Michigan. They just wanted my confirmation that they had made a wise move. They were sadly disappointed.

Swift At Nrel Jpg

Power Performance Test Report for the SWIFT Wind Turbine

By

Paul Gipe

NREL’s field test report on Renewable Devices Swift in 2011 can be found here: Power Performance Test Report for the …

Renewable Devices Swift Azure Magazine May 2007 Jpg

Small Vindication: Renewable Devices Swift Ducted Rooftop Turbine Gone

By

Paul Gipe

I am writing this now to close the book on this sad little turbine and the whole “let’s put them on the roof” phenomenon. Stumbling across an obscure NREL field test report from long ago (see Power Performance Test Report for the SWIFT Wind Turbine) dredged up this dark period in small wind turbine development.

Renewable Devices Swift Mk II AEO

By

Paul Gipe

Britain’s Renewable Devices introduced its “Swift” micro turbine several years ago to criticism that its estimates of annual production were inflated. See Roof Top Over the Top in Britain. Since then the manufacturer has revised the claim of annual production on its web site.

Roof Top Over the Top in Britain

By

Paul Gipe

Has something happened to the water in Britain since they privatized the water companies? Someone should check because the British government has gone berserk.

Unsubstantiated Claims of Rooftop Wind Turbines

By

Hugh Piggott

The following is an open letter by Hugh Piggot to BWEA calling for action on the unsubstantiated claims by promoters of rooftop wind turbines in Britain. Hugh Piggott is one of the world’s most knowledgeable authorities on small wind turbines.

Response by Paul Gipe to Dr. David Anderson Renewable Devices Swift Turbines

By

Paul Gipe

Your claims cannot be substantiated by the data made available to the public and it is likely they cannot be verified in the field.