Carlton wind turbine project to be located near Palouse

Workers prepare to erect a 100-foot-tall wind turbine on Tony Kettel’s property off Highway 27.

A 100-foot-tall wind turbine dedicated to the late Mike Carlton will soon be erected at the home of Tony Kettel south of Palouse.

Carlton passed away suddenly in October and was a long-time advocate for sustainable energy on the Palouse. He was a beloved presence in the town of Palouse and this is one of two memorials in his name.

Carlton was working on the foundation of this wind turbine last June and its completion was delayed by his passing.

Kettel, who is financing the turbine, opted to finish the project with the help of another solar energy company, MC Energy, this fall.

The turbine will be erected on top of a hill at Kettel’s residence on Highway 27, two miles south of Palouse.

“Mike was very inspirational to a lot of people on the Palouse,” said Craig Dillard, who is married to Kettel’s daughter, Linda.

Dillard, who helped continue the construction of the turbine, said the turbine will produce about 15 kilowatts per hour. The turbine will work by “net-metering,” which means any extra energy it produces beyond Kettel’s needs will be sold to Avista.

Construction crews tried to erect the 100-foot turbine Tuesday, but strong cross winds canceled those plans. Dillard said the construction crews will try again next week.

They will officially dedicate the turbine to Carlton this summer. Dillard said erecting a turbine was one of his own life-long dreams, and Carlton helped him achieve that.

“He helped us to the point we could act on our own dreams,” said Dillard.

The ball is also rolling for another memorial for Carlton. 20 solar panels to be installed on the roof of the planned Palouse Community Center. Dave and Sharon Tharp, close friends of Carlton, have raised $6,200 of a needed $20,000 for installation of the panels which are expected to provide much of the building’s future energy needs.