Pope County Windpower's 35kW Wind Turbine

In August 2003 Pope County Windpower received a USDA grant from the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficient Program to install a 35 kW wind turbine. On October 25, 2003 Earl Hauge, a member of Pope County Windpower, flipped the switch to the turbine located on his farm, land set aside for the Conservation Reserve Program CRP, in southeastern Pope County.

After two decades of being a devoted fan of renewable energy Hauge, a farmer and former state legislator, decided to collaborate with Carl Nelson, a fellow Glenwood native, to investigate the possibility of installing a wind turbine.

The 80 ft tower, when spinning, generates 39 kilowatts per hour, which is enough to supply all the electrical needs to seven homes.

Hauge plans to use the power for his nearby farm operation in the spring and fall and the rest of the year sell the energy to Agralite Electric Cooperative, the area power supplier. The energy the turbine generates offsets the burning of 35 tons of coal a year

The cost of the wind project was $65,000. A quarter of the cost was covered by the USDA grant. Hauge speculates that the system will be paid for within 10 years.

For more information contact: Carl Nelson, Community Energy Initiatives Project Manager, Green Institute, Cnelson@greeninstitute.org 612-278-7117