A Santa Fe, New Mexico start-up company called Bluenergy, has developed a hybrid vertical axis wind turbine that is covered with solar cells.
The 5kW Bluenergy Solarwind’s double-helix design is stated to perform at wind speeds as low as 4mph and as high as 90mph. Other performance attributes include: dual energy capture; low maintenance; and silent, safe operation for birds, humans and bats.
The blue colored photovoltaic cells are also noted to provide some measure of aesthetic appeal. The turbine stands 18′ high by 6′ wide and looks like a sculpture from some 1960′s World’s Fair.
The company appears to be pursuing financing and venture capital and given the dated nature of the info on their website I would hazard a guess that this may just remain a very interesting concept for the foreseeable future.
RSS
this is a fantastic technology! Combining two of the most available and renewable sources of energy the earth has to offer. The synergy of using solar and wind together is brilliant! How long before we incorporate using magnets too to increase the efficiency?
A standing ovation is in order thank you lord someone is actually using an idea i’ve had for quite some time mix the two technologies wind, solar on the same unit combined….thank god
@david heiter
That is despicable. These people have used their intelligence, creativity, hard work and risk taking to come up with something that is a testament to human ingenuity and you try and take it all away from them and claim that it is your “lord” that is to be thanked. That is just about the lowest meanest thing I have read in ages.