Perkasie's wind turbine, placed proudly in Lenape Park in 2006, has become more of an eyesore than a landmark in recent years, according to Perkasie Borough Councilman Matt Aigeldinger. "It doesn't move even on the windiest of days," Councilman Matthew Aigeldinger said at a recent council meeting. "It's a bit of a joke."
Perkasie's wind turbine, placed proudly in Lenape Park in 2006, has become more of an eyesore than a landmark in recent years, according to Perkasie Borough Councilman Matt Aigeldinger. "It doesn't move even on the windiest of days," Councilman Matthew Aigeldinger said at a recent council meeting. "It's a bit of a joke."
PERKASIE - Perkasie's wind turbine, placed proudly in Lenape Park in 2006, has become more of an eyesore than a landmark in recent years, according to Perkasie Borough Councilman Matt Aigeldinger.
"It doesn't move even on the windiest of days," Councilman Matthew Aigeldinger said at a recent council meeting. "It's a bit of a joke."
Aigeldinger suggested the borough look into ways to donate the wind turbine to a school in the borough or find some way to make it educational, and several on council agreed.
Perkasie was awarded the 35-foot, 1.8 kW turbine through the Small-Scale Community Wind Project, which Gov. Rendell revived after a lengthy dormant period.
The project, overseen by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]PERKASIE - Perkasie's wind turbine, placed proudly in Lenape Park in 2006, has become more of an eyesore than a landmark in recent years, according to Perkasie Borough Councilman Matt Aigeldinger.
"It doesn't move even on the windiest of days," Councilman Matthew Aigeldinger said at a recent council meeting. "It's a bit of a joke."
Aigeldinger suggested the borough look into ways to donate the wind turbine to a school in the borough or find some way to make it educational, and several on council agreed.
Perkasie was awarded the 35-foot, 1.8 kW turbine through the Small-Scale Community Wind Project, which Gov. Rendell revived after a lengthy dormant period.
The project, overseen by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, awarded turbines to 15 municipalities, public authorities and school districts.
A $193,000 grant allowed Southwest Windpower to place the turbines in highly visible locations, covering the cost both of the turbine and basic installation.
The turbine is valued at $10,000 and is capable of generating 1.8 kilowatts of electricity. The Lenape Park site was chosen because it is the most visible, if not the windiest, location. Although any energy produced goes back into the borough's grid, the turbine's primary purpose is educational.
Borough Manager Daniel Olpere called the turbine a "demonstration project," since it is intended as a tool to teach students and the community at large about the potential of wind as an alternate energy source.
Perkasie is not the only grant recipient disappointed with a malfunctioning turbine.
"The state is looking into a problem with the entire grant," Andrea Coaxum, assistant borough manager, said. "The installation company may not have done as good a job as the governor hoped."
In the meantime, the borough is investigating ways to fix the turbine and to increase its educational value, Coaxum said.
Councilman Christopher Nicolosi has volunteered to coordinate the construction of a storyboard explaining the significance of the turbine and providing information on wind energy.
No other grant recipient has made a storyboard, and the state is eager to see Perkasie's, Coaxum said.
Coaxum is exploring grants to assist with completing the storyboard.
"I don't want (the turbine) sitting there without some explanation of what it is," Olpere said.
Aigeldinger suggested donating the turbine to a local elementary school.
If a student learns about wind energy or is inspired to become an engineer, then council will have done something very positive with the turbine, Aigeldinger said.
The turbine could also be donated to the Upper Bucks Vo-Tech so that the students could maintain it, Councilman James Purcell said.
While council members were open to Aigeldinger and Purcell's suggestions, Councilwoman Maria Slowik requested more info on the terms and conditions of the grant to see if it would allow moving it.