Southwest Windpower
WHISPER 500 Wind Turbine
Serious power from a medium size small wind turbine – The Whisper
500 can produce enough energy to power an entire home. Formerly
the Whisper 175, the Whisper 500 was completely redesigned in 2004
to work in harsh high wind environments. The Whisper 500 is a two
bladed fiberglass reinforced blade and incorporates the patented
side furling design that optimizes output at any wind speed.
Assuming a 12 mph (5.4 m/s) wind, a Whisper 500 will produce as
much as 500 kWh per month. That is enough energy to power the
average California home.
Included with every Whisper is an EZ wire Controller. Unlike
many of our competitors, this Controller includes a diversion load
to ensure quiet safe operation of your wind turbine when the
batteries are charged. The controller offers the best of both
worlds (wind and photovoltaics). While controlling the voltage
from your Whisper, it can also control up to 1000 watts of
photovoltaics.
The Whisper 500 is NOT for the novice. Installation of the
turbine requires concrete foundations and at times a crane to lift
the wind turbine into place.
Why small wind? Solar and wind resources often compliment each
other. Generally when it is sunny it is calm and when it is cloudy
it is windy. This complimentary effect is even greater during
seasonal changes. During the winter and spring when the sun is at
its least exposure, the wind is at it highest. A Whisper 500
during these periods is essential to keep your batteries charged
and your lights on.
Exclusive to the Whisper, the side-furling Angle-Governor
protects the turbine in high winds by turning the alternator and
blades out of the wind, reducing turbine exposure. Unlike other
wind turbines that lose as much as 80% of their output when
furled, the Angle-Governor allows the Whisper to achieve maximum
output in any wind.

Patented Angle-Governor (Photos of
Whisper 100)