Nikko Domestic Wind Turbine Promised By End Of 2009

We're still waiting for a truly compact, domestic wind turbine in the manner of the Philippe Starck Democratic Ecology, but Japanese housing and environmental equipment manufacturer Nikko is promising something that sounds pretty close in 2009 [subscription required].  Expected to hit the market by October, the new wind turbine will measures roughly two meters in diameter and be priced at between $5,600 and $6,700.

According to Nikko, the (relatively) compact turbine can produce more energy than a comparable solar panel system, as long as its furnished with a wind speed faster than 4-5 meters per second.  The new model will slot in as the company's smallest turbine, replacing an existing small turbine priced at around $11,000.

The 2m turbine has a power output of around 1kw; put into context, a desktop PC and monitor uses around 0.2kw, a television at 0.08kw and an air conditioner at 3.5kw.  Nikko is looking to sell a modest 200 turbines initially, rising to 2,000 by the end of 2010.

[via CrunchGear]