VAW machine

https://singularityhub.com/2017/07/09/this-mini-wind-turbine-can-power-your-home-in-a-gentle-breeze/

Does anyone have any experience with this system?  

No experience, but this product looks awesome; I have long thought that vertical turbines are the way to go for home-users!

I know someone here at Permies was experimenting with making one(using bicycle bearings) but I don't remember if he ever got to power generation, as of their last update...

as a rule of thumb we try to locate wind turbines 20ft higher then anything within 100-150 ft around them. the closer to the ground you go the more turbulence you experience add in obstructions and your production falls dramatically. That in a nutshell is why there is not a turbine on every roof. Most municipalities have bylaws as well about setbacks from other houses for noise and flying debris reasons. here in Ontario it is 1.5 times the tower height to the edge of a property line so if it falls its coming down on your land.  At over 4000 dollars for the unit and solar panels running at less then $1 per watt small scale wind has trouble competing...

I have read in a number of sources that VAW turbines are not as susceptible to turbulence as the HAW because VAW can productively receive wind from all directions, whereas wind that comes from behind the "front" of a HAW causes a braking action.  True or not?  

Yes, wind turbines are not as "cost effective" as solar panels now but if you have a different set of objectives, they might fit into the picture.  If you have the potential for near 24 hour power generation (most places I have lived in have a much stronger, steadier wind from dusk to dawn), you need fewer PV cells (save some $$) and will spend less on hardware related to the pv cells (save some $$) and you need a smaller battery pack (save some $$) and you also have a back up power system in case your controller takes a dive - don't need to use your genny as much (save $$ and produce less pollution)...still probably will not pan out in total $$ spent but I would favor the exchange, certainly would chip away at the $6K price tag.  Its a pity they don't sell a system for about $3,500 because I think that would be more than enough for evening electricity usage.

Tom I don't disagree with any of that. Just stating the way the industry seems to be going. If it came across as too negative, my bad. The bylaws still get you though. And while on flat open ground yes vaw machines are not as susceptible to turbulence  the wind is stronger and more consistent as you go up.