Congratulations, one and all! Thanks to student fundraisers, contributions from community members, generous family foundation gifts, in-kind donations from area businesses, Girl Scout cookie funds, and renewable energy grants, the Zephyr Wind Project has raised 100% of the funds needed to purchase and donate an educational wind turbine to Mahtomedi Schools. MAGI volunteers are now working to support the installation process and coordinate development of customized curriculum for Mahtomedi Schools in conjunction with the University of Minnesota.

Equipment: At the advice of state energy experts, we’re sizing up to a 10 kW Bergey on a 120’ monopole – to make the most of those Zephyr winds!

Site: The high school track/stadium reconstruction has opened up a new opportunity to site the turbine in a prime location near the concession stand. This enhances the educational value of the turbine and opens up new opportunities for highly visible donor recognition. A big thanks to St. Andrew’s Church for support of the project and for being willing to host the turbine before this unexpected opportunity arose.

Education: University of Minnesota engineering and educational experts are collaborating on curriculum and training that could make Mahtomedi exemplar nationally for K-12 wind energy and engineering education.

Process: The City of Mahtomedi approved the conditional use permit, April 2011.

Installation:  Contracts for final engineering, soil boring, procuring the turbine and tower, and installation are in progress.