This paper investigated the performance of an innovative straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with inclined pitch axes (not coincident with the aerodynamic center line of blades). A straight blade with an inclined pitch axis used in VAWTs was described and the corresponding VAWT prototype was built and tested in a low speed wind tunnel to validate the feasibility of power output control using the novel design. Effect of blade folding movements on the VAWT performance was illustrated. It is found that the maximum power coefficient is reduced by 62.5% when blades are folded to the fold angle of 2 degrees from the optimal fold angle of 8 degrees. The decrease of the maximum power coefficient is also observed to be 59.0% when blades are folded to the fold angle of 13 degrees. In addition, the control rule of the blade fold angle to maintain constant power output and the folding sensitivity at the rated rotation rate were investigated. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.