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The first thing visitors notice on the 200-acre Cherry Lane Farm in Haw River is the 20-foot-tall spinning wind turbine rising out of a giant battery charger.

“Vegetables, they could care less about vegetables,” said owner Robert Phipps.

But Phipps volunteered a space on his family’s farm two months ago, hoping the combination solar and wind-powered unit would save him money on electricity, boost produce sales, and demonstrate his support for locally and sustainably sourced products.

“I love it,” Phipps said. “It goes right along with my philosophy about what we’re trying to do. If we can produce our power locally then I’m glad about that too.”

The portable renewable energy system was developed by Element Materials, a reclaimed lumber business started by Jason Massey, a former Silicon Valley venture capitalist, and Jason Rogers, a meat goat farmer at Cherry Lane Farm. The entrepreneurs, both graduates of Eastern Alamance High School, market the system as an economical way for farmers to power their operations.

Massey and Rogers hope to dispel the perception that the North Carolina Piedmont lacks the climate and geography to make wind energy viable.

“A lot of people assume wind is going to inefficient and cost-prohibitive,” Massey said. “I think implementing wind on farms now is a trend you will start to see, especially in North Carolina. The turbines are getting super-efficient.”

Phipps uses the system to power his deer fence, water pump and vegetable stand. He estimated the system will pay for itself in about three years and save him $200 to $300 a season on electricity costs.

“I know it doesn’t sound like a lot but every little bit helps,” Phipps said. “I don’t see this as a final product but as a start.”