Review By: Michael Merritt

Product Star Rating:

The robust Whisper 500 by Southwest Windpower delivers maximum output in any wind. It produces some serious energy for your remote power needs with its patented side-furling over-speed protection optimizing output at any wind speed. The Whisper 500 has proven to perform well in harsh, strong wind environments with its two-bladed, fiberglass-reinforced design. For instance, let’s assume there is 12 mph (5.4 m/s) wind; the Whisper 500 will produce as much as 500 kWh per month. That is more than enough energy to power about half the needs of an average California home!

Its exclusively designed side-furling angle-governor protects the turbine in intense winds by rotating the alternator and blades away from the wind, reducing turbine exposure. This angle-governor lets the Whisper 500 continue to safely spin and produce lots of energy even in high winds.

Click Here for a Whisper 500 Authorized Dealer

The Whisper 500 features a controller and optional digital display. The unit ships complete with a controller and diversion load, ensuring quiet, safe operation of your wind turbine when the batteries are charged. The controller installs easily in minutes and it helps protect both your wind turbine and battery. The controller easily fits inside your battery room.

The optional LCD display is perfect to instantly monitor real-time data on the performance of your Whisper 500. The display can be easily mounted on the controller or up to 1000 feet (300 meters) away, so you can monitor performance in the comfort of your home. You can even add an anemometer feed to compare wind speed with turbine output to make sure you are getting the most from your Whisper 500.

The Whisper 500 features:

• Kilowatt Hours/Month: 538 kWh/mo at 12 mph (5.4 m/s)
• Rotor Diameter: 15 Feet (4.5m)
• Voltage: 24, 36, 48 VDC (high voltage avail.)
• Rated Power: 3000 Watts at 24 mph (10.5 m/s)
• Turbine Controller: Whisper Charge Controller (included)
• Warranty:  5 Year Limited Warranty

Installing the Whisper 500 requires no welding or machining. All you need to obtain is pipe material and power wires. Authorized dealers offer tower kits that include all the cables and fasteners you will need. The anchors are sold separately. Installation of the towers does require a concrete foundation and at times a crane may be needed to lift the wind turbine into place.

A Whisper system from South West Power combines well with photovoltaic solar panels to balance out fluctuating solar and wind resources. Generally, winter months provide more wind and less sunlight, while summer months provide more sunlight but less wind. A hybrid system using a Whisper wind generator provides year-round energy production. Southwest Windpower was recently honored by the U.S. Commerce Secretary on November 6 as recipients of the prestigious 2009 Presidential “E” and “E Star” Awards at the National District Export Council Conference. The “E” Award is the highest U.S. Government recognition any U.S. entity may receive for supporting export activity. Southwest Windpower is the world’s leading manufacturer of small wind turbines.

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