Rooftop power: Small wind turbines on many city buildings

Aerotecture wind turbine

As wind energy gains momentum as an alternative energy source, a
Chicagoan wants to see small wind turbines atop hundreds of city
buildings.

A company founded by South Shore native George D. Sullivan on
Tuesday won the exclusive North American rights to sell small wind
turbines under the brand name Gentle Breeze.

Sullivan’s company, Synergy Viridis LLC, is partnering with
Tokyo-based Sinfonia Technology Co. Ltd., which makes the turbines, to
sell and manufacture the 5-foot-tall, 5-to-6-foot-wide turbines, which
cost about $50,000 apiece. The vertical-axis turbines, which come in
two models, are primarily geared for use on condo or office building
rooftops where they are clear of obstacles and high enough to catch
sufficient wind gusts.

Synergy Viridus expects to sell 300 turbines the first year, 500 the
second year and 1,000 the third year, and to create 1,000 jobs.

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