Politics & Government

Planners Look at WHS Wind Turbine Project

Solar panels will also go in for the purpose of student education.

Since Windham adopted a wind energy ordinance, the town has been waiting for an application to come through the boards. 

The Planning Board took a look at the first project on June 7 – A wind turbine that will soon be installed up at Windham High School.

The project is being spearheaded by the Windham Initiative for Renewable Energy as part of a multi-faceted effort to provide energy benefits to WHS.

Find out what's happening in Windhamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Alan Carpenter, chairman for WIRE, said that his organization has been at it for a "couple of years" working to get the turbine installed.

The 51-foot unit will be anchored to the ground with two inch bolts and placed on the corner of the far western parking lot of the school, near the athletic fields.

Find out what's happening in Windhamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also in attendance to speak to town planners was Jeff Goodman, a representative from Wind Guys Inc., the company installing the turbine.

The 170-pound product is called "Skystream," supplied by Southwest Windpower.

"It wont make a big impact to reduce (the high school's) energy usage," Goodman said. "It's more of a teaching tool for the kids"

Goodman added that the turbine makes its best power when the wind is between 15 and 20 mph. He also said that the product is relatively quiet, producing a sound just above that of wind rustling through the trees.

The turbine has a five year guaranteed warantee, but a lifespan of about two decades.

Carpenter added that there is also a solar panel side to the project, but due to the state and town ordinances it did not have to go before the Planning Board.

Find out more about WIRE and the WHS project.


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