Project Specs
- Utility
- WE Energy
- Location: Town and County
- Hofa Park, Shawano County, WI
- Grants/Incentives Received
- $30,000 installation grant from Focus on Energy
$35,000 in Federal Tax incentives
$30,000 from USDA REAP grant - Total Cost of System
Before and After Grants - $170,000 total system cost
$67,000 after grants and tax incentives - kW Capacity of Turbine
- 35kW
- Tower Type and Height
- Ehresmann 110’ self supporting
- Make and Model of Turbine (Location of Manufacturer)
- E-15 re-manufactured Vestas EMS in South Dakota
- Maintenance Schedule and Requirements on This Turbine
- Every 6 months
- Expected Annual Energy Output
- 60,000 kWh
- Goals for Installing Wind System
- To supply all of the electricity for the home and farm
Closing the Loop at Full Circle Farm
Rick and Valerie Adamski are dairy farmers with a vision. They believe that the most viable way to farm is with as few inputs as possible. They create a healthier future employing organic methods, growing their own feed, and reducing consumption of resources that come from “outside” of their farming system.
The vision for a closed-loop system led them to investigate energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Through Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program, Rick took advantage of free energy audits for farmers and incentives for installing energy efficiency technologies. He installed a plate cooler in the milking parlor for heat reclamation, variable frequency drives for pumping the milk, and upgraded lighting in the barn. The couple also has solar thermal hot water installed on their home.
Creating a Sustainable System
How could the Adamski’s supply all of their energy needs through resources available to them on the farm?
To help answer this question, the Adamski’s had a Wind Site Assessment in July 2005. On a global level, they believe that wind power is a key component in the solution to our nation’s energy challenges. Rick knew that he could reduce his wind system size, and therefore cost, by prioritizing efficiency. Every kWh saved reduces the electric load. The smaller the electric load the smaller the turbine, the lower the cost. As a rule of thumb, every $1 spent on energy efficiency measures will save $3-5 when sizing your wind turbine to meet the load.
A Winter Installation
Adamski played a key role in the installation. He trenched and ran the cable, as well as setting re-bar and pouring concrete. This saved him contractor costs. SGES was dedicated to installing the system as soon as turbine availability would allow. A final challenge to the project, Rick’s turbine was installed with three feet of snow on the ground. For a winter installation, the foundation was excavated and poured in the fall, before the ground froze. Wrapped in several layers of clothes to protect against a biting wind, the turbine was completed on a wintry day early February 2009.
As farmers, Rick and Valerie understand there are kinks to iron out with any new technology. And in the first 4 months of production the turbine generated 17,500 kWh, more than enough to power their home and farm with efficiency measures in place. Question answered. It’s in the wind.