'Back to grassroots'

A vertical access wind turbine and solar energy equipment are among new features at Casa de Fuchsia. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson)

This turbine doesn’t have propellers. It’s cylinder-shaped, which means it will start turning and generating energy no matter what direction the wind is blowing.

“Others have to face the wind,” Heilmann explained about turbines with propellers. “This takes winds in different directions because it’s 360 degrees.”

During the winter, with winds at 12-15 mph, the turbine could generate about 200 watts of power an hour. On top of the workshop on Iowa Street, 32 solar panels (16 more haven’t been put on yet) soak up the sun. On a sunny day in the summer, the panels generate about 40 kilowatts a day.

Together, wind and solar power help power the Casa de Fuchsia operation and have eliminated electricity bills. Any excess power is sent back to Pacific Power’s grid.

“We pass that on to other people,” Heilmann said.

Those who participate in Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Program are purchasing alternative energy, such as what Casa de Fuchsia is providing.

Pacific Power gave Casa de Fuchsia a $13,000 grant for its alternative energy systems. But that didn’t cover the full cost of purchasing and installing both systems. The wind turbine cost about $11,000 and the solar panels about $42,000.

Danner plans on applying for a federal tax rebate that could pay back 30 percent of the cost.

Heilmann manages the Sun Wind Solar Systems side of the Casa de Fuchsia operation started by Danner. The consulting company helps people who want to delve into alternative energy or want to reduce their energy consumption.

“The whole purpose is to help people reduce their energy, not to sell them systems,” Danner said.

Heilmann said he could help people get started with an alternative energy system or advise them to do something as simple as changing their lightbulbs to the more energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.

A playground of natural activity

Beyond the wind turbine and solar panels, there are several other projects happening at Casa de Fuchsia.

Danner anticipates that the antique and collectible store will be ready sometime this month, just in time for Christmas. Danner is a collector himself, but wants to offer shelf space to other people on consignment.

Down the road, he also wants to sell redwood products, custom fountains (done by Heilmann) and other “artsy stuff.”

In the greenhouse, of which the frame is currently up, Danner wants to sell the fuchsias and other plants his family grows.

At the far end of the greenhouse will be a waterfall that flows into a stream that goes into a 14-by-9-foot koi pond, all powered by a pelton wheel, which is like a water turbine.

This hydroelectric system is for display only and not to generate significant electricity — just enough to power lights on the bridge going over the stream, Danner explained. Its purpose is to demonstrate how hydroelectricity works.

Also to be completed soon is a workshop for artisans and a shed for potting soils and non-hazardous gardening chemical for sale.

Then there’s the planned educational learning center, where people can learn how the solar panels and wind turbine are generating electricity, Danner said as he continued along on a tour of his property.  Classes on master gardening are also possible, he added.

Bits and pieces of Danner’s vision are coming together. All of this has been years in the planning, he said, adding that he hopes everything will be completed by March.

But, then again, most things “don’t work out the way you expect it to,” he said.

Down the road, Danner has an even grander vision of a botanical garden in Del Norte County and an amphitheater for outdoor concerts.

His plans for Casa de Fuchsia are to benefit the community by giving it something beautiful like art, something natural like fuchsias and other plants, and something sustainable like alternative energy.

“Help” is a word that comes up often with Danner.

“I want to give back and take a positive approach,” he said. “The way times are changing, people need to get back to the grassroots.”