Kestrel Wind Turbines
The South African company, Kestrel Wind Turbines, formed in 1999 is located in Port Elizabeth. In 2006 the company became a subsidiary of the well known Eveready Battery Company.Kestrel currently markets 4 wind turbines models with various voltage options. For identification they use a nomenclature that is different from the traditionally used rated output value that is normally expressed in either watts or kilowatts. Their model numbers refer to the metric measurement of the rotor diameter. For example the e150 is 1.5 meters across while the e400 swings a rotor that is 4 meters in diameter.
e150.
The outer construction found in all Kestrels is similar with the exception of the e150. There is no mistaking it from afar for one of the others. While they all have the same general look, the six blades on the e150 leave no doubt as to its identity.
e300.
You will find no furling machines here. The e150 turning six blades relies on electronic loading for active control and uses blade stalling as a passive backup. The e220, e300 and e400 all use blade pitch to control maximum rotor speed.As for availability, a distributor told us there are about 3,000 dealers in the US but would not supply a list of them. Curious. We haven't been able to dig up 3,000 different business selling the Kestrel but...well... that's okay. There are several dealers that are easy to get alnog with. Two that we have found are Innovative Solar Solutions and Wind Power Unlimited.
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