In a world increasingly seeing solar panels on rooftops, Accelerate Wind is pioneering wind turbine generation as a complementary solution. The startup, founded by engineer Erika Boeing, has developed turbines that sit at the edge of flat roofs, using a patent-pending airfoil to capture the accelerated airflow at roof edges. The turbines integrate almost invisibly to the roof and when paired with existing rooftop solar panels, can boost energy generation by about 25% in many commercial and industrial buildings. By placing turbines right where wind speeds already increase over the sharp edge of a roof, the system avoids the need for tall, obtrusive turbines.
Accelerate Wind aims to quietly generate more energy without changing skylines, whilst advancing more resilient, distributed renewable energy sources. Edge of roof turbines take up space that solar panels cannot utilize, allowing the unused space to serve as additional energy generation. By adapting the wind turbine design, Acclerate Wind allows cities to integrate turbines, traditionally housed on farms, into the buildings we live and work in.
Accelerate Wind is still in the prototype and testing phases. Their rooftop edge turbines are designed with certification in mind (working toward IEC-61400-2 standards) and are intended to be installed alongside solar installers. They’re already planning pilots at warehouses, commercial buildings, and even military bases.
