In 2002, Eastern Neck Island became the first National Wildlife Refuge in the United States to install a wind turbine on its grounds.
The project was made possible when the Maryland Energy Administration received $58,800 dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy as a result of the State Energy Program solicitation.
The project also include the construction of a solar renewable energy system at the refuge.

The purpose of the 10 kW wind turbine is to provide on-site electric power to an administration building, while publicly demonstrating the concept of renewable energy.
The project also exists to measure any avian interaction with the refuge's wind turbine.
The DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has allowed Eastern Neck NWR to contract the services of an expert in order to document the extent to which bird behavior is altered by the operation of the turbine.

The turbine itself consists of three blades, which cover a circular area 23 feet (7.0 m) in diameter.
The tower is 60 feet (18 m).
Considering the average wind speeds of the area, the system was designed to produce about 10,000 kW-hours per year.

The two solar array panel groups generate peak levels of 150 and 167 watts, respectively.
In 2002, Eastern Neck Island became the first National Wildlife Refuge in the United States to install a wind turbine on its grounds. The project was made possible when the Maryland Energy Administration received $58,800 dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy as a result of the State Energy Program solicitation. The project also include the construction of a solar renewable energy system at the refuge.
The purpose of the 10 kW wind turbine is to provide on-site electric power to an administration building, while publicly demonstrating the concept of renewable energy. The project also exists to measure any avian interaction with the refuge's wind turbine. The DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has allowed Eastern Neck NWR to contract the services of an expert in order to document the extent to which bird behavior is altered by the operation of the turbine.
The turbine itself consists of three blades, which cover a circular area 23 feet (7.0 m) in diameter. The tower is 60 feet (18 m). Considering the average wind speeds of the area, the system was designed to produce about 10,000 kW-hours per year.
The two solar array panel groups generate peak levels of 150 and 167 watts, respectively.
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge