The Farmers Bank in downtown Mount Pulaski had its wind turbine installed Wednesday afternoon. Many onlookers were present by the courthouse across the street, as well as along the sidewalk next to the businesses and in the alley. The city provided a tractor to push the structure as the crane lifted it. When the turbine was upright, the crane lifted it over onto the 17-foot-square concrete pad. Then the legs were manually moved into place and bolts attached.
The wind turbine is churning and as of Thursday afternoon was operational and supplying the power to the Farmers Bank and its drive-through across the street. The turbine has a capacity to generate 10,000 watts of power. Onlookers noted the wind turbine made very little if any noise.

Pictures by Phil Bertoni

* Farmer's Bank was established in 1872, which is Logan County's oldest bank.
* Mt. Pulaski's hill is 703 ft above sea level measured on the courthouse lawn.
* The turbine sits on top of a 120-foot tower. Wind turbine stats
Specs for the Bergey wind turbine installed in Mount Pulaski Wednesday:
*Height: Total height to top of propeller blades is 137 feet, which includes 120-foot tower.
*Power: 8.2 kW at 25 mph.
*Annual energy: 13,200 kW at 11 mph average.
*Sound level: 54.7 decibels (normal conversation is about 60 decibels).
*Peak power: 12.5 kW at 28 mph.
*Design operating life: 30 to 50 years.
Source: Bergey WindPower and John Wyss of Central Illinois Wind and Solar
 

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