Knight & Carver's Wind Blade Division has completed the first in a series of 27.5-meter wind blades as part of a U.S. Department of Energy project that ranks among the industry's most innovative advances in wind energy production. Knight & Carver's wind blades are manufactured in Howard, S.D.

"Knight & Carver's innovative approach to wind energy development is a perfect fit for the state's 2010 Initiative goals," said Gov. Mike Rounds. "As a state, we're committed to fulfilling our wind energy potential, and supporting the latest advancements in the industry. If preliminary tests go well, soon the most state-of-the-art wind blades will all be created right here in South Dakota."

With the name "STAR" - which stands for "Sweep Twist Adaptive Rotor" - the blade is the first of its kind ever built. Its most distinctive characteristic is a gently curved tip, which unlike the vast majority of blades in current use, is specially designed for low-wind-speed regions.

"Depending on the wind farm's site, this blade will capture between 5 and 10 percent more energy," said Gary Kanaby, Knight & Carver's Blade Division Manager.