British wind turbine generator pioneer GreenSpur has set the seal on a breakthrough order for three of its rare-earth-free permanent magnet direct-drive designs from US developer Wind Harvest International (WHI).

The transaction, for 70kW versions GreenSpur ferrite-based PMGs, represents the company’s first American sales. The order is subject Davis, California-headquartered WHI’s current funding campaign.

“We have ambitious expansion plans that benefit greatly from avoiding the use of generators that rely on Chinese rare-earth magnets,” said WHI CEO Kevin Wolf.