A patriotic boost to community wind power pride

Aeronautica is celebrating the resurgence of US wind manufacturing capabilities with its patriotic turbine design

The visual impact of wind farms is one of the key issues in the local permitting process, and many developers try to minimize it with off-white paint or careful positioning.

Yet one turbine manufacturer is now going completely against the grain, offering its turbines in a blazing Stars and Stripes motif.

Aeronautica Windpower, which is based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is now producing its turbine components in New Hampshire, and the new patriotic color scheme now available for its 225-kilowatt and 750kW machines reflects this.

“The symbolism goes deeper than a paint job,” claims Shaun Lockett, VP of Sales and Marketing for Aeronautica. “Most people don’t know it, but other than some smaller
machines, all wind turbines going up around the US are made overseas.

“So instead of sending our petro-dollars overseas, we end up sending them our cash and tax credits – and our jobs. We want to reverse that trend and build high-quality turbines in America,” Lockett adds.

Aeronautica is determined to show that America can compete with the rising number of Asian wind turbine manufacturers.

It says that while labor costs in the US are higher than abroad, costs can be recovered in lower transport costs and waiting times since Aeronautica’s turbines and replacement parts are “Made in America”.

Tim Stearns, VP of Operations for Aeronautica. “Shipping can add over 12% to a turbine’s cost. As far as component costs, quality components will always
cost more, but in the long run, its value we are looking for, and the quality components we use last longer, giving our customers a better value for their dollar.”

Hopes are that the new Stars and Stripes versions of the Aeronautica turbines will help them become a real source of local pride for communities across America.

Brian Kuhn, VP of Product Development and a Founder of Aeronautica, says: “In a country that basically invented the wind farm in California in the 1980s, it is ironic that turbine manufacturing is just now re-opening in the US.”