PARAFOLD TOWERS INTRODUCES NEW FOLDING WIND TURBINE TOWER

PARAFOLD TOWERS INTRODUCES NEW FOLDING WIND TURBINE TOWER
AT WINDPOWER 2010

– Unique design installs in one day without concrete or cranes;
for wind turbines up to 100kW –

(Dallas, Tex, May 23, 2010) --  Parafold Towers™, a pioneering company committed to making wind energy more affordable and accessible, today unveiled its Parafold™ folding wind tower and Parabuilt™ foundation at WINDPOWER 2010 in Dallas, Tex. (booth #401). 

Parafold's towers lower cost of energy (COE) by eliminating the need for cranes, concrete, excavators, vibrators, step bolts and climbing systems, and also by reducing labor costs. A unique double hinge and lever design allows the tower to act as a crane, greatly reducing the loads required to raise the turbine.

Parafold has developed the Parabuilt foundation, which replaces a traditional concrete foundation.  It uses helical anchors and a damping system, and is designed for turbines with rotor diameters up to 25 meters, and winds up to 55 meters per second (~120 mph). The damping system attenuates the amplitude of the frequency produced by dynamic wind loads, and also dampens vibration when the rotor matches the tower's natural frequency.  It eliminates “creep” associated with anchor foundations. The Parabuilt foundation can be installed in one day.  All Parafold towers and foundations are certified by Professional Engineers.

Parafold's towers and Parabuilt foundations address the limitations of conventional wind turbine towers and make small wind energy more affordable and accessible.  By eliminating the time and cost associated with cranes and concrete foundations and the danger associated with climbing towers, wind energy not only becomes more attractive to the consumer, but the installation process becomes easier for the dealer/installer. Additionally, Parafold's towers enable wind energy in remote locations where cranes and concrete are not available.

“Parafold's towers can typically reduce the installed cost of a small wind turbine by ten to thirty percent, depending on location,” said Don Miller, president of Parafold Towers. "COE over the life of the turbine is further reduced because ongoing maintenance and repair costs are reduced, and so is downtime.  This makes it easier for manufacturers and dealers to sell their systems to consumers."

Parafold towers come in heights from 60 feet to 140 feet, and are ideal for wind turbines up to 100kW. The towers are compatible with turbines from all major manufacturers.  Parafold currently is establishing a dealer and distributor network, and welcomes all inquiries.

About Parafold Towers
Parafold Towers™ is a technology development company focused on bringing wind energy to homes and small businesses. Parafold Towers™ is a subsidiary of Catadon Systems, Inc., a company that focuses on renewable energy and environmentally friendly technologies. The company’s patent-pending Parafold™ folding wind towers and Parabuilt™ foundations are easier, safer, faster and more economical to install, and further reduce COE by simplifying repairs and maintenance. 

Parafold Towers is located in Carlsbad, Calif. The company’s web site is www.parafold.com.