NEW YORK—A U.K. provider of small wind turbines is making a serious push into the North American market. Proven Energy Ltd now has an established network of staff, distributors, dealers and installers to provide renewable energy solutions for businesses throughout North America.
“The market potential for small wind in North America is massive,” says Andrew McMullan, CEO of Proven Energy. “People are really tuning into issues of energy independence and putting an end to global warming. This is why we are investing heavily in developing growth here.”
Proven Energy, a Scottish manufacturer, has 70 percent of the small wind market in the United Kingdom. Industry experts agree that Proven Energy’s 2.5kW, 6kW, and 15kW wind turbines will share an increasing portion of the North American market. Proven Energy wind turbines are electrical generation systems and can be configured for grid connection or use with batteries as dictated by individual clients.
Small-Wind Advocate
“Proven Energy is stepping up as a major player and advocate [for small wind] in the United States and abroad,” says Ron Stimmel, Small-Wind Advocate for the American Wind Energy Association. “It is wonderful to see their commitment and enthusiasm for breaking down market barriers and lifting the tide for the industry as a whole.”
Since 1991, more than 1,700 Proven Energy wind turbines have been installed worldwide, with 97 percent operating at or in excess of optimum capacity. All Proven Energy wind turbines are rated to an industry leading 156 mph. However, they have been recorded to operate at rated power in up to 199 mph gusts.
“Proven Energy wind turbines operate in all conditions from Saudi Arabia to Antarctica,” McMullan adds. “Every entity in a windy environment is a potential customer. We even power offshore oilrigs for safety lighting.”
U.S. Market Growing
According to the American Wind Energy Association, 6,807 small wind turbines were sold in the United States during 2006 for a total of more than $56 million in sales. Even without a federal-level incentive to help consumers purchase small wind systems, the U.S. market continues to grow an estimated 14 to 25 percent annually.
A typical Proven Energy wind turbine installation in a good wind regime can achieve payback in less than five years. Payback for some customers has been as little as 30 seconds in remote locations. Rising energy costs will only improve payback for small wind energy systems.
In a moderate wind resource, the Proven 6kW wind turbine can produce the same amount of energy consumed by the average four-person household in the United States, around 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month.
Go to Proven Energy.
