Reno, NV (November 15, 2010)- Mt. Rose- Ski Tahoe unveils its newest energy source – the Windspire® (http://www.windspireenergy.com)  wind turbine! The three 33-foot tall turbines were installed on the north side of its Winters Creek Lodge. The turbines will help offset the lighting costs for the new Winters Creek Lodge during the upcoming season.
“Mt. Rose- Ski Tahoe is a large advocate for using the Earth’s natural resources in its daily activities” said Ron Cox, Director of Sales at Windspire Energy. “We are excited that the Windspire will now be a part of their efforts to move more towards environmental sustainability and stewardship.”

Considered a relatively small wind turbine, the Windspire provides a low-cost, safe and energy efficient method for harnessing power from the wind. It produces approximately 2000 kilowatt hours per year in 12 mph average winds. This is approximately one-third to one –fifth of the energy usage of an average U.S. Home for an entire year.

Becoming a sustainable ski resort is an effort that Mt. Rose- Ski Tahoe has been making for the past decade. According to a statement by General Manager, Paul Senft, “Mt Rose- Ski Tahoe continues its dedication toward maintaining a sound and successful environmental policy that will both sustain and strengthen its precious natural resources.” Some of their initiatives include restoring native vegetation, a recycling and waste reduction program and transportation initiatives that decrease air pollution. To learn more about how you can Mt. Rose- Ski Tahoe’s initiative to “Go Green” log on to http://www.mtrose.com/on-the-mountain/green-rose and read “Sustainable Slopes.”

About Mt. Rose- Ski Tahoe

Mt. Rose is Tahoe’s closest skiing to Reno, located 25 minutes away from Reno and 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe. Mt. Rose boasts over 1200 acres of terrain, including the 200+ acre Chutes, and the new Winters Creek Lodge.
About Windspire Energy

Windspire Energy, Inc. (formerly Mariah Power, Inc.) is the developer of the innovative Windspire wind turbines.  Made in the USA, Windspires are designed for use in urban, suburban, and rural settings.   The propeller-free, vertical-axis design enables silent operation and features patented technology that maximizes energy conversion from wind into electric power, regardless of changing wind speed and direction.  The Windspire has been featured in The New York Times, Fortune, Popular Science, and on “20/20”, CNN and NPR. For more information, visit www.WindspireEnergy.com.

To date, we have no reported bird incidents with the Windspire wind turbine, and actually have one story of a bird who built a nest below the generator housing.  We believe the slow speed in which the Windspire turbine’s blades spin in comparison to the wind speed, also known as Tip Speed Ratio, allows birds to see the blades so they can fly clear of them.  We don’t have a specific bird safety study to cite, but we think this picture says a whole lot (maybe even 1000 words) on the subject.