ALP20 · Powered by ArcGuide® Technology
Validation results: how we know ALP20 works
ALP20 has been validated through independent third-party laboratory testing, real-world field deployment, and peer-reviewed publication. Here's the evidence.
ALP20 was developed over a three-year period in coordination with a leading lightning test facility in Pittsfield, MA. In 2022, the coating was installed on eight wind turbines across two wind farms — one in Illinois and one in New Jersey — selected specifically for their history of high lightning activity and lightning-related blade damage.
The turbines have been monitored for lightning strikes and the coating periodically inspected for surface erosion. As of the most recent inspection, none of the coated turbines have reported lightning-induced blade damage, and drone inspections have shown no surface erosion of the coating.
Funding & independent review: Development and validation of ALP20 was funded through the US DOE SBIR program — which requires competitive peer review by independent technical experts at each phase — and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.
Leader attachment testing was conducted on GE 1.5sle blade tips at an independent high-voltage laboratory using the IEC 61400-24 industry standard method. The same blade was tested with and without ALP20 applied around the tip receptor, under identical conditions.
In testing without ALP20, four of six leader attachment events safely attached at the receptor as intended. The remaining two punctured the blade skin — exactly the failure mode that causes costly real-world damage.
Baseline coating (no ALP20): 4 of 6 leader attachments successful, 2 blade punctures.
With ALP20 applied around the receptor, every single leader attachment event attached directly to the receptor as intended. Zero blade punctures across all tests.
ALP20 coating: 9 of 9 leader attachments successful. Zero blade punctures.
These results, along with many similar tests performed in accordance with IEC 61400-24, demonstrate ALP20's ability to reliably guide lightning to the tip receptor. The full compilation of results and the methodology used to project a 73% reduction in real-world damage are available in the white paper.
