The prairie skyline is changing in Rosenort, Manitoba with the addition of the newest form of wind power technology.
Introducing roof-mounted, vertical axis turbines.
Late last month crews began installing three vertical turbines to the roof of a garage in the RM of Morris.
It is virtually silent and the unit delivers 3.6 kilowatts of energy.
It is not enough for the entire building, but linked to the main supply, it powers the geothermal heating.
"We can actually, if the hydro goes out, we can heat this thing in the winter as long as there's wind," RM or Morris Reeve Herm Martens said.
The municipality spent $25,000 on the units, with another $25,000 coming from the province.
Right now, Manitoba Hydro is still cheaper, but the company says the move could pay off as energy costs rise down the road.
"A slight premium right now, but significant savings over time," Global Wind Group's Alex Stuart said.
It is why Global Wind Group is in talks with northern, remote communities that rely on things like diesel for power.
They say that is a case where savings can really be generated.
"Remote communities pay almost 30 times what Winnipeggers pay for their electricity, so these units pay for themselves in five years," Stuart said.
Louise Durand owns an RV park in Iles des Chenes and she wonders if the turbines could help reduce her massive hydro bills.
"In the summer when it's 28, 29 the air conditioners are going galore, so you got to look at any little corner you can cut," Durand said.
The provincial government offers homeowner incentives for the installation of geothermal heating, but so far there is not a similar program for wind power.
With a report from CTV's Joe Olafson
