Powering up

Your article “Low-energy wind turbines” (Weekend Herald, August

27) is a lesson for us all. Get some references before paying out on any large project.

All is not lost for Marcel and Sandra Hannon, however.

The windmill towers, cabling, and electronics are all in place.

The only problem is the vertical windmills that generate only 250 watts.

The vertical windmills should be replaced with three-blade, horizontal windmills with a diameter of at least

2.5m in order to get 1000 watts;

2.88m diameter wind turbines rated at 2000 watts will cost less than $1500 each.

The $10,662 held back should cover the cost of the upgrade.

Expect your 2000-watt Chinese wind turbines to actually generate

1000 watts and you will not be disappointed. I am a retired professional electrical engineer and would be happy to assist with the upgrade at no charge for my efforts. John Caldwell, Howick.