Nothing Runs Like a Deere Wind Turbine!

I've previously floated the idea that our newly expanded John Deere dealership in Madison's Earmark Plaza could boost its profile (and Madison's) by erecting some wind turbines along Highway 34.

Some John Deere dealers in less windy states are already jumping on that idea:

At his Perry, Iowa, dealership, for instance, [Don] Van Houweling has installed an S-Series wind turbine by Endurance Wind Power capable of producing up to 20,000 kWh per year, about 20% of the site's needed power; and a larger unit capable of producing over 200,000 kWh per year is scheduled to produce about 85% of the power needed at his upcoming west Des Moines, Iowa, site ["Wind Energy Nets High ROI for Farmers, Equipment Dealers," AgricultureOnline, 2009.12.01].

Oh yeah, return on investment: Van Houweling says that between energy savings and government incentives, farmers and implement dealers can get 12%–15% return on their investment. (And what percentage did you get from your CDs and stock portfolio over the past couple years?)

Now this is a John Deere dealer, telling us a John Deere product will save you money, so take that for what you will. But I sure hope the fellas at James River Equipment are reading....