New Wind Tree Harnesses The Wind In A Whole New And Quiet Way

This is a new turbine for creating electricity. It was created by a French company called 'New Wind' The 'Wind Tree comprises a steel trunk with plastic leaf turbines that run quietly and with only a light wind.  Down side is they will cast about $30,000 each but the inventor says it will pay for itself in just a few years.  AENews says:

The inventor is the first to admit the efficiency of the trees is low compared to more consistent currents higher up, but believes the trees are more viable and less intrusive than ‘monstrous’ conventional wind turbines. The 26 foot high trees, which use tiny blades inside the ‘leaves’, could potentially be profitable after a year of wind speeds averaging 7.8 mph. They can generate electricity in wind speeds as low as 4.5 mph.

Not since solar freaking highways have I been so intrigued by a new design. They are installing the first ones in Paris this year and I have read there are roof models.  So who knows, maybe sooner than later we'll have another option for power right here in the states.  I mean heck, Brewer already has the metal tree.