Marquiss promises first ducted turbine later this year

Californian R&D start-up Marquiss Wind Power has secured $1.3m in Series A funding to help bring its rooftop wind generator to market.

The device, designed to generate power on the flat rooftops typically found on offices and other commercial buildings, is based on a ducted design. The company claims the 19ft tall Aerowind turbine will produce 12Kw of energy in a 28mph wind.

CEO Paul A Misso said that the design sets the device apart from the micro-wind generators designed for residential use. "We're looking at producing in a 10 to 12mph wind something between 120 to 150Kw hours per day, so it's significantly better to what you'd get from some of the micro-wind generators," he said.

The company hopes that the turbine will also outperform conventional rotary rooftop wind turbines, which use a rudder to direct them into the wind.

"In turbulent winds the rudder does not operate well. It flaps back and forth, meaning that the rotor is rarely directed into the wind. We solved that problem," he said, adding that the ability to operate on a rooftop is an advantage because winds tend to be faster at this level.

When winds hit the one to three storey buildings that the system is designed for, they flow up and over the roof, creating a stronger combined force in what Misso describes as the rooftop effect.

The company will use the new funding for a mixture of marketing and R&D Misso said, adding that it is currently perfecting its prototype, and hopes to ship the first commercial unit in the second quarter of this year. Although the company has told investors that it will only ship a hundred of the units this year.

The turbines, which will range from $40,000 to $60,000 in price, are designed to be spaced 50 feet apart, and can generate energy in tandem. The company, which will sell direct to customers, predicts a four-year return on investment for the turbines, which it claims exceeds the return for solar energy products.

The funding came from Velocity Venture Capital, in conjunction with Strategis Early Ventures.