California Adds Windspire Wind Turbine to Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Decision Results in $3000 Rebate for Customers in California and Paves Way for Inclusion of Windspire in Rebate Programs in Other States

06.04.2009 – RENO, NEVADA, (JUNE 4, 2009) – Mariah Power (www.mariahpower.com), a wind technology company that specializes in maximizing energy conversion from wind into electric power, today announced that the California Energy Commission (CEC) (www.consumerenergycenter.org) has added the Windspire® wind turbine (www.windspire.info) to its list of approved small wind systems. Windspire customers in California will now be eligible for a $3000 cash rebate through the state’s Emerging Renewables Program. The Windspire has already been added to the list of eligible wind turbines for rebates in Arizona, Maryland, and Nevada with other states to follow soon. These rebates will mean a significant cost savings to Windspire owners, especially when coupled with the 30% federal small wind tax credit. The cost for a fully installed Windspire system, with these federal and state incentives, can be as low as $2250 which makes the Windspire an affordable option for wind power.

The California Energy Commission”s Emerging Renewables Program provides rebates to consumers who install qualifying renewable energy systems (small wind or fuel cell electricity systems) on their property. All types of consumers are eligible, including: residential, institutional (such as schools), commercial, agricultural, and industrial. Financial incentives vary according to the system size, technology, and installation method. The 1.2kW Windspire is eligible for the $2.50/watt rebate resulting in a total rebate of $3,000 – almost half of the total retail cost of a Windspire wind system. Funding for the Renewable Energy Program is collected from the ratepayers of the four investor-owned utilities in California to support existing, new, and emerging renewable electricity generation technologies.

The Windspire wind turbine, the first product from Mariah Power, is a small-scale vertical axis wind turbine designed to power homes or businesses. Standing just 30 feet tall, the Windspire features a plug ‘n produce™ design that connects directly to the power supply of the building, offsetting electricity use and reducing energy costs. The unit’s sleek and aesthetically pleasing design allows it to blend in well with a variety of settings, making it an ideal renewable energy option for home and business owners. The Windspire wind turbine will generate 2000kWhs annually in 12mph average winds, which is about 25 percent of the annual energy of an average home.

“We are trying to make wind power simple and affordable,” said Mariah Power CEO, Mike Hess. “These rebates make the Windspire wind turbine the most affordable option for homes and businesses.”

For more information about the Windspire please visit www.windspire.info. For a complete list of eligible small wind turbines available for rebates through the Emerging Renewable’s Program please visit http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/cgi-bin/eligible_smallwind.cgi.