When the sun shines at the Audubon Center we not only feel good, but we also know that there is electricity being produced by our new 8,400 kw/h photovoltaic grid-connected solar electric system

Grid connected means that all electricity produced is fed right into our electrical panel and used up as needed. If there excess electric from arrays it will go to the meter and start actually turning the meter backwards.

We have three arrays (towers) along the Crosby dorm. Each array consists of 16 panels and we can produce 2900 kw/h per array. And if the sun isn’t shining (like at night) and the wind is blowing we still can produce electricity through our new wind tower.

While this is not an ideal wind spot, we wanted to experiment with wind energy and prove that good siting can produce electricity without killing birds.

The sun also heats the water in our new solar hot water system – a set of solar collectors that contribute hot water to the system where visitors draw their water for showers.

Our solar arrays, panels and wind generator were installed by Sun Energy, 2396 Jade St., Mora, MN 55051, 320-679-0877