Renewable Energy Provides Education for Members
Wright-Hennepin installed a wind turbine and two solar panels at its headquarters in Rockford to provide energy production statistics to its members.
Two solar panels and a residential-sized wind turbine are strategically placed on Wright-Hennepin’s campus. These renewable energy sources are not meant to power homes in the area, but are used as an educational tool for Wright-Hennepin members and staff. In fact, the energy that they do produce is given away in a monthly contest to two lucky members.
Enter to win the energy output of the windmill and solar panels.
Wright-Hennepin’s wind turbine
Wright-Hennepin's wind power project is intended to help co-op leaders and members better understand the costs, benefits and availability of wind energy in Wright-Hennepin's service area. View Wright-Hennepin’s wind turbine in real time.
Quick facts about Wright-Hennepin's on-site wind generator
- Height upon completion: 120 feet
- Manufacturer: Jacobs Wind Energy Systems
- Model: 31-20 wind turbine
- Peak power rating: 20 KW (enough power for about three homes)
- Peak output speed: 25.5 miles per hour
- Wright-Hennepin’s wind turbine cost about $80,000 installed
Wright-Hennepin’s solar panels
Wright-Hennepin has taken another step to educate members about available renewable energy options with two solar panels. View how much energy Wright-Hennepin’s solar panels produce.
Quick facts about the solar panels
- Two 1,000 watt solar panels
- Large enough to power twenty 100 watt light bulbs or four 500 watt portable electric heaters
- They face due south at an angle of 44.5 degrees
- Wright-Hennepin’s solar panels are fixed to one position. They are not mounted on swivels that follow the path of the sun, as some solar panels are.
- The materials for Wright-Hennepin’s solar panels cost about $15,000.
