Ampair 6000 x 5.5m wind turbine
Introduction
The Ampair 6000w x 5.5m wind turbine generates cost-effective electricity without subsidy for use by either grid connected (230V) clients or at off-grid locations (battery charging) wherever there is sufficient wind. The highly sophisticated integrated design hides the complexity from clients.
It has increased power, reduced noise, and reduced environmental footprint. It can be manufactured sustainably in the UK and exported worldwide for installation by competent but non-specialist personnel.
Overview
 The new Ampair 6000w x 5.5m is a mid sized small wind turbine. Up until now all the Ampair wind turbines have belonged to the 'micro' class and this is Ampair's first entry into the 'small' class of small wind turbines.
It incorporates all of Ampair's 35-year experience of manufacturing wind turbines for use in the harshest of environments and at cost-effective prices. Like all Ampair wind turbines it is a Class I turbine for use in the highest winds, and it is marine grade just like all our turbines.
It will take us a while to respond to the enormous demand we are experiencing from our distributors, never mind from the general public worldwide. In the meantime here are some basic facts and downloadable data sheets for you.
Download the specification sheet :
Purchasing & price
Ordinarily you should buy this turbine from one of our distributors and organise installation with them. It is possible to install it yourself but you will need to have the technical competency to install an engineered foundation and a piece of substantial electrical equipment.
The approximate recommended retail prices are as follows. These prices are ex works and ex VAT or other local taxes. The price you pay to a distributor will vary depending on transportation and tax costs.
- Ampair 6000w x 5.5m set complete with turbine, inverter, and interconnect = £12,150
- Monopole mast, 10m, complete with ginpole and foundation bolts = £1,350
- Monopole mast, 12m, complete with ginpole and foundation bolts = £ 2,500
- Monopole mast, 15m, complete with ginpole and foundation bolts = £ 4,000
The full detailed price list can be downloaded here.
Please be patient whilst we update with information about the new Ampair 6000. We know you all want to know more.
Status
 The Ampair 6000 is a new product. Right now (early May, 2009) there is only one operating which is close by our factory in Berkshire UK. We have been working on bench testing the design for quite a while and now that we have the first one up we are pleasantly suprised by the 'open air' performance compared to the lab-bench performance. The lab tests include strength and safety tests. We have now tested in open air over the full range including beyond 6kW and above full speed.
Obviously we cannot hide it any more which is why we have announced it. You can read the press release here. This of course means that lots of people want to order one and so we must manage the next phase responsibly.
The next step is to install some at a wide range of locations so as to prove out the product. It is this phase we are entering into now. Our price for the turbine during this phase is no different than in later production. If clients choose to sign up for one of these units they will not receive any additional incentive from us. There will inevitably be glitches with these units and we will of course work to resolve them, that is part of life as a manufacturer especially one with a reputation to lose. If clients choose to sign up for one of these units the extra benefit is getting an Ampair 6000 early and participating in some way in an exciting and interesting programme. There will be no fixed end to this as we will progressively move from the early units to routine production with increasing volumes as we gain the performance feedback we are seeking.
The following documents may be useful for planning permission or project evaluation but should not be relied upon for construction. Always check with your Ampair distributor or installer for the latest version before commencing any construction.
Anyone who pours concrete without having the matching steelwork in their hands needs their head examining !
**** DO NOT RELY ON ANY OF THESE DRAWINGS FOR CONSTRUCTION ****
Ampair 6000 on 12m monopole mast
Ampair 6000 foundation guidance
Ampair 6000 typical foundation detail
Certification & grants
 Only when we are in routine production will we commence certification of the Ampair 6000. This is because certification is a lengthy and expensive process. It will take at least six months - we know this because we have nearly completed the certification process on the Ampair 600 (in fact the outstanding issue is for the UK government to finalise its agreement with the network of certification bodies) and so we are fully aware of the needs of the certification bodies.
Using the experience we have from certifying the Ampair 600 we have designed the Ampair 6000 to ease the certification process. It is our intention to certify the Ampair 6000 as a Class I wind turbine in compliance with one or more of the following standards and accreditation systems as they become available:
- BWEA small wind standard, and MCS microgeneration certification scheme
- AWEA small wind standard, and SWCC small wind certification corporation
- IEC 61400-2 small wind safety standard
- IEC 61400-11 acoustic noise standard
- IEC 61400-12-1 power performance standard
Until we have finished certification it will probably not be possible to obtain a grant in the UK or USA. We must concentrate our attention on manufacturing issues and we cannot be an expert in all the local grant schemes (or even if they exist). Please contact your local Ampair distributor or installer for assistance in this respect.
You can find a full list of Ampair distributors and installers here.
Description
 The Ampair 6000 is a 5.5m diameter wind turbine that is suitable for grid connection or battery charging with a rated power of 6kW. It is a horizontal axis 3-bladed wind turbine of downwind layout with passive yaw control and a direct drive permanent magnet alternator. Speed control is via dual independent redundant microprocessor controlled electronic brakes with separate independent triple redundant safety relays for emergency stops.
In its grid connected form it will provide cost-effective power production for individual rural properties in exposed locations without subsidies. The installed cost per kWh at a goodwind site will be approximately equal to that of centrally generated coal-fired power plants. Electrically surplus power will flow back to the grid.
In its battery charge form it will be more economic than running diesel or gas powered generation. A version which allows for automatic ride-through as a UPS system in case of a utility grid interruption will be available later in 2009.
The Ampair 6000 is designed as a Class I wind turbine (the highest grade) with cold weather protection for polar use and is marine grade. This means it can be erected anywhere in the world without requiring special care by installers. This expands the available market.
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