Product Pick of the Week - Ampair unveils 6kW micro wind turbine

The turbine, which has a rotor blade diameter of 5.5 metres, is designed for both a 230V grid connection or for 48V battery charging. And the firm's chief has reiterated his opposition to government subsidies for renewables.

David Sharman, managing director of Ampair, said: "We have always worked on an unsubsidised commercial basis and see no reason to charge the high prices that are the norm in the 6kW market. In my opinion, the current grant subsidies from Westminster and Scotland to favoured manufacturers are propping up this practice and are a distortion of the market and should be withdrawn immediately."

Options:
Ampair said yesterday that the new turbine, which is retailing at £13,000 plus VAT for a grid connected system, would be ideal for supplying power to remote farms or public buildings, as well as onshore or offshore industrial infrastructure.

It is manufactured from marine grade materials making it "particularly suited" to remote, coastal or cold-weather applications and is compliant with the IEC 61400-2 standard for a Class I turbine, meaning it can be installed worldwide. And, as the turbine is a fully sealed unit, it does not require annual servicing, the firm added.

Ampair is offering a range of mast options with the turbine, from 10 metres in height to 30 metres to maximise the power potential. The mast is available in a variety of styles including monopole or lattice, and guyed or unguyed.

Ampair said yesterday: "The new Ampair 6000 fits neatly into a slot in the market which Ampair has been working to fill for several years to satisfy the rising demand for a turbine of this size made to the company's high standards."

Formed in 1973, Ampair has over 20,000 units installed worldwide, including the Antarctic and Alaska, the Solent and the Sahara.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net