That conversation led to a blustery day in November, 2003, when congregants Dave Friedrichs, John Wakeman and Dick Brown erected a guy-wired 100' anemometer tower to measure wind energy across a high point on the church's property to evaluate the feasibility of a wind turbine on our property.

Eight years later, in December 2011, elements from that 2003 project could still be seen--but now incorporated into our 2.5 kilowatt wind turbine spinning atop its 90 foot monopole.

Dave Friedrichs with the UUAA wind turbine in
the background at right.

Our renewable energy vision expanded along the way -- As solar energy became less expensive and more efficient, we modified our project to include solar panels installed on the south church roof, representing 10,800 watts of energy.

This link will take you to photos of the 2010 installation of both our wind turbine and the rooftop solar panels.

Installation of the roof solar panels.

In December, 2011 a stand alone tracking solar array was added to the energy mix, providing more directed collection of energy from the sun.

This link will take you to photos of the 2011 tracking solar array installation.

All of our UUAA energy production can be monitored on the renewable energy data page of this web site. Congregant Don Winsor provided us with monitoring software and ably maintains this information for us.

Stand alone tracking solar array.

Our renewable energy projects were largely funded by individual donors. The solar component allowed the congregation to take advantage of DTE's Solar Currents incentive program, generating more than $20,000 for the solar panel installation.

To pay tribute to the many donors to these energy projects, we created an "Energy Plaza" in front of the church. It is paved with tiles inscripted with many interesting quotes, memorials and dedications selected by the donors.

May we each find some quiet time on a sunny and breezy day to enjoy the remembrances and manifestations of the energy plaza and its surroundings. In that space, a much broader circle is drawn. The area welcomes and remembers so many thoughtful and energetic people (and some UU heritage as well). A sincere thank you to all donors for their stewardship and for helping sustain good spirits.

Bob Hospadaruk and Dave Friedrichs enjoy reading the tiles in the Energy Plaza