Southwest Windpower is the first U.S.-based manufacturer of small wind systems to be certified by GL Renewables Certification. GL Renewables Certification issued a Statement of Compliance for the A-Design Assessment of the Skystream 3.7, 50/60 Hz wind turbine. The certificate is a precondition for Southwest Windpower to apply for wind farm tenders worldwide.

Designed specifically for homes and businesses, Skystream 3.7 is the first all-inclusive personal wind generator with built-in controls and inverter. Skystream 3.7 is a down-wind (wind hits the blades on the downwind side of the tower), direct drive (gearless or no transmission), permanent magnet wind generator.

Using an innovative 12-foot (3.7 m) rotor, the 2.4 kW rated turbine is designed to work in very low winds and produces up to 400 kWh per month in 12 mph (5.4 m/s) average annual wind speeds.

The Statement of Compliance confirms that Skystream 3.7 meets the requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 61400-2:2006, Edition 2, "Design requirements for small wind turbines," which addresses safety philosophy, quality assurance and engineering integrity of the turbine, as well as complementary the GL "Guideline for the Certification of Wind Turbines," Edition 2003 with Supplement 2004, regarding verification of load assumptions and design.

Small wind turbines have a swept rotor area of less than 200 m" and their generators provide voltages of up to AC 1000 V (or DC 1500 V). In the U.S., properly certified small wind turbines can receive additional subsidies and incentives.

In Germany, only systems certified with German Type Approval according to the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) regulation may be installed. Many buyers, investors, authorities and insurers will continue to watch the small wind market to determine how the technology matures in the future.

Southwest Windpower manufactures a range of small wind systems designed for various utility-connected and off-grid applications, including residential homes, commercial properties, government and school buildings, off-shore platforms, sailboats and remote cabins.

GL Renewables Certification will also approve Southwest Windpower's newest personal wind turbine, Skystream 600, which is currently in development.

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