Powerhouse Wind Limited

Powerhouse Wind have spent the last 5 years completing research and development. We have designed and built a 2kW wind turbine for use in on or off grid applications, called the Thinair 102.

We are now production ready with off tool component parts, utilising local suppliers and developed assembly processes.

Our turbine is already out there being tested in a number of different locations in the South Island from the French Pass to Clinton. We are gathering valuable information from these sites that we are using to make the Thinair wind turbine the most cost efficient, energy efficient and reliable small wind turbine yet designed. Our market is the world.

Research and development is a costly exercise. We have spent close to a $1m so far excluding endless hours of enthusiastic but voluntary labour.

For the Thinair 102 to take on the world we need to complete the testing and improvements so we can gain international certification. We also have plans to add another model, a 5kW version.

We also need to start marketing the turbine, initially in New Zealand and then once internationally certified overseas.

At the moment we have no paid staff. We need to create a staff infrastructure that can market our product, make mechanical, electrical and software improvements, provide technical support in the field and in the workshop and pursue commercial opportunities in New Zealand and overseas.

We already have traction and opportunities with aid organisations, lines companies, off grid lifestylers and on grid enthusiasts.

Share Offer

We are offering a minimum of 69,325 ordinary shares (to close the offer) and up to a maximum of 155,979 shares at $5.77 each. This represents between 14.3 and 27.3% of Powerhouse Wind Limited, with between $400,000 and $900,000 raised.



Each ordinary share gives the holder the right to one vote at a meeting of shareholders.



The constitution (linked in the details tab) sets out other terms that will apply to any shareholding in Powerhouse Wind Limited. You should read the constitution before pledging for shares.

About our Team

The team at Powerhouse Wind is committed to achieving their vision to build the best domestic

scale wind turbine in the world and are passionate in their belief in the potential that wind generation offers for renewable energy.

Based in Dunedin, New Zealand and combining a wealth of product design, engineering and manufacturing experience with an innovative design philosophy are the following people:

Richard Butler. A graduate of Auckland University, Richard brings a passion for combining electronics with innovative mechanical engineering – particularly in the renewable energy field. Richard trained as an electronics engineer and joined Fisher & Paykel where he held numerous roles including Electronics Manager, Technical Functions Manager and Engineering Manager. Richard was also part of the DishDrawer team and is currently the Site Manager of the Fisher and Paykel Whiteware product Development Division in Dunedin

Bill Currie. Bill has a strong personal interest in a great wind turbine solution, he lives in an off-grid house and has a long standing interest and belief in local energy solutions. After mechanical engineering training, Bill worked for New Zealand Electricity for 4 years. Following some time working overseas, Bill did an MBA at Otago University, including a project for Fisher & Paykel Appliances which evolved into 18 years of employment with the company. He worked on a number of roles starting with design engineering on the DishDrawer team, and concluding with responsibility for Engineering Services for all sites.

Tim Mepham. A graduate of Otago University with a B.Com and a Chartered Accountant with broad experience in export markets, manufacturing, HR management, Information systems, corporate strategy, change management and governance. With experience in construction (Downer), whiteware manufacturing (Fisher and Paykel), forestry re-manufacturing (SCFP), film and media (Natural History NZ Ltd). Tim operates in an advisory role to PHW and has been involved for the last 3-4 years.

Other Directors are Peter Shaw and Wayne O'Hara. Both Wayne and Peter were involved in the early development days and Peter has continued to be involved with software improvements.

What we've done so far

The Thinair wind turbine has been develped over the last five years with significant progress being achieved with the assistance of Callaghan Innovation, the Otago Polytechnic and seed funding from early investors. The engineering and design team have proved the concept with initial prototyping and testing. This was followed by second generation design, tooling, electronics design and testing.

Sales of 12 protype turbines have helped the funding and kept the continuous improvement process going. Valuable information is coming back from these field turbines.

What's next?

We have completed phases one and two of our development, and with the funding gained through this campaign initiate phase three below.

Specifically, investment is needed to hire key technical staff to continue the improvements to the turbine and to commercialise the turbine with the support of a sales and marketing team. A marketing campaign needs to be initiated targeting off grid and on grid lifestylers and rural properties.

International certification is needed to export the turbine and to participate in aid projects. International interest needs to be followed up paticularly in Australia and the Pacific.

Model variations need to be developed for high alpine exposure and increased kilowatt output.

Our goal is to establish a design and manufacturing facility in New Zealand. We'll start small but within five years aim to be manufacturing up to 300 units/year for New Zealand and export markets.

The renewable energy market is evolving and Powerhouse Wind is aiming to compliment off grid solar systems with a cost effective product that will generate power when the sun is not shining.

Dividends and capital growth are the financial targets. The company would also consider opportunities to sell and license the technology to a large player in the renewable energy sector.

Risks and Challenges

The biggest risk that we face is being undercapitalised. We need capital to move into the growth phase, support sales and create a commercial infrastructure to take advantage of this exciting technology in the equally exciting and neccesary renewable energy sector.

Key support staff are important. Currently Bill Currie is the only full time engineer involved in the company, and we need to employ and retain more people. Our full risks (and mitigating factors) are outlined below:

Risk Mitigation Hardware issues We have tested this technology since 2008, and are confident in what we have created. If there are any issues we will keep communication open with customers, implementing changes as we can. We will work through technical issues systematically. We will look to employ additional technical know-how and a field engineer to speed the 'fix' process. Software issues We have a managed process of continuous improvement and issue resolution. With the capital raised we are looking to hire more technical resource. Insufficient working capital We are running this equity crowdfunding campaign to mitigate this risk. We will look to fund future growth through revenue. Not achieving forecasted sales volumes With the money raised in our equity round, we will start marketing activity and pursue commercial applications with telcos, utility companies as well as off grid rural lifestylers. Expenditure can be controlled to a minimum if sales take longer to achieve. Currently we have very low financial overheads. Loss of key staff There is shared knowledge amongst the team of each others roles. Specialist support would need to be hired for technical and accounting support if Tim or Richard left the business. This risk will be mitigated with funding to pay key staff and by growing the team. Another developer of small scale wind turbine in New Zealand It has taken us 5 years to get this far, so there is a technical barrier to entry. We have a New Zealand patent protecting the key aspects of our turbine design Imported Wind turbines gain traction in New Zealand Imported turbines are more expensive than our turbine. We need to focus on a New Zealand Inc approach with all commercial customers and lifestylers, and continue to improve, develop, and commercialise our product. Solar panels become the renewable energy of choice Solar panels continue to decrease in price and increase in efficiency. We see wind turbines as a complimentary product where wind is a resource and when there is a smaller footprint. Wind generates power at night and in the dark days of winter, when solar is less efficient. We will work to partner with solar suppliers and sell a renewable package.

Note from PledgeMe

We have completed a Veda check on the company and their directors, as well as a google check. There were no adverse findings.