Nicolet Area Technical College, Rhinelander, Wis., recently announced the installation of a 10-kW, 120-ft.-tall wind turbine funded through an $80,000 grant from Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program. The college also launched a project called EcoVillage that will include renewable energy systems and energy efficient structures for residential and institutional use. The college will use these buildings and systems to teach sustainable building practices and installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems.
The first phase of the renewable energy project, the installation of a photovoltaic system and the wind turbine, will generate electricity for the college and reduce energy costs. Both renewable energy systems will be connected to the Wisconsin Public Service Corp. power grid. When more electricity is generated than what is needed at the site, the excess will be sold to the utility.
