It is currently available only as a 24 VDC battery-charging system. With a rotor diameter of 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) and a peak output of approximately 1,600 watts the XL.1 is intended for the off-grid home market in the U.S. and for rural electrification programs in developing countries. It is also a perfect upgrade system for current owners of micro-turbines, such as the Air X. The XL.1 combines a number of advanced technical features, including a completely new airfoil (patent pending), to provide the highest efficiency yet achieved in a small wind turbine at a cost of energy ~ 40% lower than the current price leader. And, the XL.1 carries the exclusive, industry-leading, Bergey 5-year warranty. "We are very excited about the XL.1. We think customers are really going to like this machine" notes Mike Bergey, BWC's president and CEO. The XL.1 is an up-wind, horizontal-axis, three- bladed turbine. The blades are pultruded fiberglass, a material that is over ten times stronger than the injection- molded plastic used on most small wind turbines. In fact, pultrusions have a breaking strength exceeding 100,000 psi, which is twice as strong as normal steel. "Just about any blade material will hold up in light to moderate winds. But, when the storms come, weak blades can put the whole system at risk." And the new BWC SH3045 airfoil makes the XL.1's blade probably the most efficient ever on a small wind turbine. The photo to the right shows the prototype Bergey XL.1 at the BWC factory undergoing tests on a 9 meter (30 ft) Tilt-up Tower. The blades attach directly to a specially designed very-low-speed permanent magnet alternator which uses state-of-the-art neodymium super- magnets. "We have designed an oversized alternator that slows the rotor down and makes the turbine very quiet." Overspeed protection is provided by the proven BWC AutoFurl passive sideways furling system. "In spite of the claims otherwise, no other overspeed protection system has proven to be more reliable or effective than AutoFurl." New PowerCenter Controller We are very excited to announce a substantial upgrade to the already industry-leading controller for the XL.1 24 VDC battery charging system. The PowerCenter was the first microprocessor equipped small wind turbine controller (our competitor?s ads not withstanding) and we?ve just upped its brainpower and capabilities. The new controller provides new features, quieter turbine operation in high winds, and a more robust design at high power levels. New features include: Slow Mode When the batteries reach float voltage the rotor speed is reduced to provide only the current necessary to maintain the battery voltage at float. The wind turbine will not free-wheel and blades will not flutter. If the load increases the PowerCenter will sense the need for more current and it will allow the turbine to spin faster to provide that current (up to 120 W). Slow Mode works whether you have a dump load or not. On a windy day, with the batteries full, you can actually control rotor speed by turning lights in your house on or off - it is very cool! We think Slow Mode makes the XL.1 the quietest small wind turbine ever. Brake Button The original 'equalize' button at the back of the PowerCenter is now multi-function and it provides braking function for the turbine. One click brings the wind turbine to a stop. Another click resumes operation. Wattmeter Function In addition to maintaining the equalize mode function (increased to a 6 hour time limit) the rear button now also provides a new instantaneous wattmeter function with the 10 colored LED?s on the front panel. With the wattmeter function selected each LED lit indicates 100 Watts of output. Dump Load Capacity Increased to 60 Amps - And the dump load is now PWM controlled to maintain battery voltage within tighter limits Easy Adjustment of Regulation Voltage Built-in Polarity Checker for the Wind Turbine and PV Inputs The new PowerCenter is shipping with all new XL.1's delivered from today forward. Low wind speed performance is greatly enhanced by a low-end-boost circuit that optimally loads the wind turbine down to wind speeds as low as 5.6 mph (2.5 m/s). Combined with the new blade system, this circuitry allows the XL.1 to produce useful power more than 6,000 hours a year at a typical site. For reference, a typical solar system produces power 3,500 hours a year at a typical site. The XL.1 is offered with a tubular Tilt-up tower in heights from 9 m (30 ft) to 32 m (104 ft). These kits will be be easy to install and will offer customers a complete "ready to install" kit. "There's been a need for more complete integration between turbine and tower packages for small wind turbines and we think our new line will fill that gap." The Owners Manual and the Installation Manual for the XL.1 are available on-line as PDF files. See the links below. XL.1 Specifications Type: 3 Blade Upwind Rotor Diameter: 2.5 m (8.2 ft.) Start-up Wind Speed: 3 m/s (6.7 mph) Cut-in Wind Speed: 2.5 m/s (5.6 mph) Rated Wind Speed: 11 m/s (24.6 mph) Rated Power: 1000 Watts Maximum Power: ~ 1,600 Watts Cut-Out Wind Speed: None Furling Wind Speed: 13 m/s (29 mph) Max. Design Wind Speed: 54 m/s (120 mph) Blade Pitch Control: None, Fixed Pitch Overspeed Protection: AutoFurl Gearbox: None, Direct Drive Temperature Range: -40 to +60 Deg. C (-40 to +140 Deg. F) Generator: Permanent Magnet Alternator Output Form: 24 VDC Nominal Net Weight: 75lbs Net Weight: 75lbs / 34.1kg Shipping Weight: 104 lbs / 47.3kkg Functional Features: Low-End Boost, Slow-Mode, Electric Brake, 30A Solar Regulator, 60A Dump Load, Timed Battery Equalization, Watt Meter Display Mode, Polarity Checker Blade Replacement: Bergey warrants the blade for 5 years (the longest in the industry). Call Bergey direct at 405-364-4212 for blade replacement.