Mariah Power, Designer and Manufacturer of the Windspire

About Mariah Power

Mariah Power provides low-cost, highly aesthetic, noise-free wind power appliances for use with commercial, residential and government buildings. The company’s patented technology maximizes energy conversion from wind into electric power, regardless of changing wind speed and direction. Mariah Power’s flagship product Windspire®, a 2000 kWh vertical axis wind turbine, was released in June of 2008. The product line is being expanded to include larger size units, low-wind versions, and off-grid solutions. Mariah Power is based in Reno, Nevada and currently has 18 employees and is growing rapidly. Mariah Power is a privately held corporation, funded by VC’s and other private investors.

• Mariah Power values a culture of:
  • Excellence - striving to be the best at what we do.
  • Passion for our products and for the work we do every day.
  • Openness, in which all employees are free to speak their mind.
  • Professionalism, in which all employees treat each other and all customers and business associates with respect.
  • Initiative, in which everybody is expected to evaluate company needs, prioritize, and take action.
  • Action, in which “to-do’s” get done in a timely manner, and help is requested in advance if needed.
  • Accountability, in which people are accountable for the commitments they make.
  • Collaboration, in which people work together as needed, without barriers, politics, or destructive attitudes.
  • Understanding, of clarifying and articulating needs, and helping each other out.
  • Honesty, both integrity in how we operate, and honesty with ourselves.
  • Value, in which we value our people, our customers, our business relationships, and our work.

Careers

Mariah Power is growing rapidly, and we are always on the lookout for people who are smart, enthusiastic, and passionate about their work and the company’s mission, who are not afraid to speak their minds, and who have a good sense of humor. We offer our employees a competitive base salary, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. For a chance to make a difference, candidates are encouraged to visit www.mariahpower.jobs. for more information.

Our History

Founded in 2005 in Reno, Nevada, Mariah Power was established to develop innovative and proprietary new technology that introduces a new standard for style and function to the small wind industry. Founded on the passion and commitment of two inventors and Mike Hess, a successful entrepreneur and current CEO of Mariah Power, Mariah Power set to work on a new kind of wind turbine. Today, the company is continuing to evolve its product line, focusing on low-cost energy alternative solutions that are smart, noise-free and renewable. The company’s first wind power appliance, Windspire® wind turbine, was launched on June 2, 2008. Mariah Power currently has 17 employees and is growing rapidly.

A key motivator for Hess and his team was the need for a wind product that would be accessible to the masses – affordable, attractive and easily installed. After much research into the challenges and opportunities in this emerging market, the engineering team developed Windspire®, an environmentally friendly, propeller-free vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The Windspire wind turbine embraces a different approach that avoids some of the pitfalls of traditional propeller turbines, including noise, aesthetic limitations, and challenging zoning restrictions. Unlike a propeller-based system, Windspire wind turbine features a uniquely narrow, sleek design that harnesses power from the wind by spinning smoothly on its own center pole. The tips of Windspire airfoils move at only a quarter the speed of the tips of propeller blades, allowing it to operate in silence. Using patented technology in its generator, the Windspire wind turbine maximizes energy conversion from wind into electric power, regardless of changing wind speed and direction.

In December 2008, Mariah Power signed a contract for its first high volume manufacturing site in partnership with MasTech Manufacturing of Manistee, Michigan. MasTech is a manufacturing and material handling specialist and was able to retrofit a former auto parts factory to accommodate manufacturing for the Windspire wind turbine. The plant begins production in April of 2009. In January, a Windspire wind turbine was prominent at President Obama’s Inauguration festivities on Capitol Hill and was also on display in Detroit, Michigan, at the North American International Auto Show, demonstrating its uses as an electric car charging station.

It is our belief that locally produced clean energy is an idea whose time has come, and Windspire now provides an attractive and affordable wind power option for everybody.

Our Name

The company takes its name from the song "The Wind They Call Mariah":

Away out here they got a name
For rain and wind and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire Joe
And they call the wind Mariah

Generator

The generator takes the rotational energy and transforms it into electrical energy by driving a rotating magnetic flux through specialized copper windings, inducing current in them. The Windspire’s very unique generator was developed by our own team, and served as a catalyst for the whole system. After working on a highly efficient air core permanent magnet generator technology for several years, Mariah Power was founded in 2005 with the integration of the generator into a wind turbine. The generator technology is unique in several ways: First, it minimizes magnetic-induced losses by using a special rotor and stator construction, resulting in very high efficiencies (up to 98%). Second, it is cog-free, for seamless rotation. Third, and perhaps most importantly, it operates most efficiently in low wind speeds. This is the opposite of most wind generators, and it allows the Windspire to capture more energy in the lower, more prevalent range of wind speeds.

Rotor

The rotor is the airfoil structure that spins in the wind, using lift to transform wind energy into mechanical (rotational) energy. The Windspire® rotor employs an efficient giromill design with a large sweep area for maximum energy capture. It is unique in its tall, narrow, minimalistic profile that makes it aesthetically appealing and appropriate for a wide variety of settings. The rotor is constructed with multiple airfoil segments to reduce strain and to transfer wind-induced stresses to the high strength center shaft. The rotor was designed with the aid of extensive aerodynamic computer modeling to maximize power production, done by the world’s premier expert in Darrieus rotors. The mechanical system was further refined using advanced rotordynamic modeling of vibration modes, performed by another leading expert in rotordynamics.

Technical Infos !

Wind turbines capture the power in the wind and turn it into electricity. A complete wind turbine system such as the Windspire® includes four basic components, although many systems are limited to just a rotor and generator.

Rotor	The rotor catches the wind (is pushed by the wind), and converts the energy of moving air into rotational mechanical energy.
Generator	The generator converts the mechanical energy into electricity by rotating a magnetic field over electric coils, producing an electric current.
Inverter	The inverter takes the DC electricity produced by the generator and converts it into a usable AC form.
Structure	The structure provides strength, height, and supports the rotor.

The Windspire vertical wind turbine is the result of extensive engineering development work, and boasts many unique features that set it apart in the marketplace. One of the distinguishing features of the Windspire vertical wind turbine is that it was engineered as a complete system. It includes more than a rotor that turns in the wind and a generator to generate power. It also includes an integrated inverter, the complete pole and structure, and a wireless monitoring system. The advantage of designing the Windspire from the ground up is that we were able to optimize each component to work together for maximum system efficiency at the lowest possible cost, a benefit we are proud to pass on to our customers.

Specifications

Annual Energy Production (AEP) with 12 mph (5.4 m/s) avg wind speed	2000 kWh*
Instantaneous Power Rating (IPR) at 25 mph (11.2 m/s)	1.2 kW (1200 watts)*
Standard Unit Height	30 ft | 9.1 m (pole extension options)
Sound Measurement	6 dB above ambient (15 mph wind, 6 ft from base)
Total Weight	624 lb | 283 kg
Minimum Wind Required for Power	8 mph | 3.6 m/s
Survival Wind Speed	105 mph | 47 m/s
Rotor Material	Aircraft Grade Extruded Aluminum
Monopole/Structure Material	Recycled High Grade Steel
Warranty	5 year limited warranty

*Notes: AEP is based on assumptions, including a Rayleigh wind speed distribution and sea level air density.

Windspire Overview

Affordable, attractive, and ultra quiet, the Windspire® wind turbine gives you the power to create clean energy from the natural wind just outside your door. At only 30 feet tall and 4 feet wide, the Windspire wind turbine is distinguished by its sleek propeller-free design and ultra quiet operation. Designed for use where you live and work, the Windspire is currently powering homes, small businesses, schools, museums, parks, and much more.

Power from Wind
The Windspire® wind turbine generates power when wind blows against its vertical airfoils causing them to spin. This power is then converted to AC electricity and is immediately available to power your home grid and all the appliances that draw electricity from it, such as lights, refrigerators, and air conditioners. While the technology behind the Windspire is complex, the basic premise is simple: the stronger the wind the more power it will generate.

Advanced Technology
The Windspire® wind turbine was designed from the ground up as a complete system, both to maximize electrical and mechanical efficiency, and to minimize the system cost for our customers. The patented technology includes a high-efficiency generator, integrated inverter, hinged monopole, and wireless performance monitor. The 1.2 kW (1.2 kilowatt or 1200 watts) Windspire will produce approximately 2000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year in 12 mph average winds. The Windspire also includes WindSync wireless monitoring software so you can check your power production in real time.

Affordable
Starting at $6,500 for the complete system (before installation) the Windspire® is priced much lower than comparable wind turbines and other alternative energy options. The price includes the poles, inverter, wireless performance monitor, and the hinged monopole, so there are no expensive extras to buy. After deducting a 30% federal tax credit (available in the USA), and local rebates that are available in some areas, your net cost is even lower. The average payback is under 10 years.

High Quality
Rugged yet simple construction means durability and low maintenance for customers. The Windspire® wind turbine is designed to operate for 20 years or more. It is made with durable, corrosion-protected steel and aircraft grade aluminum construction, quality oversized bearings and a very simple mechanical structure, and rated to withstand high winds (up to 105 mph), snow and ice. The Windspire is made in the USA (Michigan), with extensive quality control measures in place to ensure customers receive a quality product.

Clean Energy
The Windspire® wind turbine generates energy from a clean, natural, and inexhaustable source, replacing power currently being produced by pollution-emitting coal fired plants and other sources. Choosing a Windspire is a wonderful opportunity to make a statement about your commitment to protect the Earth.

Wind and Site Requirements
The Windspire® wind turbine was designed to operate in areas with average wind speeds of at least 10 mph (4.5 m/s), although it works best where average winds exceed 12 mph (5.4 m/s). Winds vary by location, even within a property, and generally preferred sites are clear of nearby obstructions such as tall trees and buildings. Your Windspire dealer can discuss siting guidelines with you in more detail.