BarberWind Turbines

About BarberWind Turbines

BarberWind Turbines, LLC, established in 2010 by founder and inventor Gerald “Jerry” L. Barber, is a wind technology firm headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. The company focuses on the mid-sized wind market, which it refers to as the Distributed Wind market, targeting clients such as industrial parks, data centers, small communities, farms, and island nations that are often dependent on diesel fuel. Its business model centers on the design, manufacture, construction, and maintenance of its turbines, which are sold to clients for on-site power generation.

The company's history is deeply rooted in the experiences of its founder, Jerry Barber. With a degree in physics and chemistry, Barber's diverse career included being a high school principal before he spent 18 years owning the second-largest amusement ride manufacturing company in the U.S., where he secured over sixty patents, most notably for the “Free Fall” ride. His expertise in the amusement industry, particularly with the mechanics of large rides like the Ferris wheel, highlighted the frequent failures of large gearboxes—a common and costly maintenance issue in conventional wind turbines. This insight spurred him to develop a wind turbine that eliminates the gearbox, nacelle, and other problematic components of traditional designs.

BarberWind's flagship product is the BWT 800kW turbine. Instead of the typical three-blade design, this turbine resembles a large bicycle wheel, featuring 64 spokes with 1,280 smaller airfoil blades that individually pitch to capture wind more efficiently. A key design feature is its rim-driven system, inspired by Ferris wheel technology, where tires transfer energy from the spinning rim to a generator at the base, completely removing the need for an expensive and maintenance-heavy gearbox. This approach aims to lower both capital and operational expenditures. Further differentiating it from competitors, the BWT 800kW has a built-in hydraulic lifting system, which allows it to be erected without large, expensive cranes and can be lowered to withstand severe weather, such as a Category 5 hurricane. Additionally, the entire turbine can be disassembled and shipped in standard 40-foot containers, simplifying logistics and enabling installation in remote or inaccessible locations.

The company has progressed through several funding rounds, raising a total of $8.38 million. Its first funding was in November 2014, and the most recent was a Series A round in September 2023. The primary institutional investor has been the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA). A significant milestone was achieved in November 2019, when DNV GL awarded the BWT800kW a Statement of Feasibility, validating the design's integrity for investors and customers. The company began constructing its second-generation prototype in Concordia, Kansas, in late 2019, working with a local manufacturer, Concordia Technologies, LLC, and coordinating with local power cooperatives for grid connection.