2006 Minnesota Solar Tour

Carleton College is the first college in the United States to own an industrial-grade wind turbine. Carleton participated in the development, construction, and ownership of the wind turbine to demonstrate the feasibility and the necessary of using natural and renewable sources of energy to supplement their existing sources. The 1.65 MW turbine was installed on September 1, 2004, and started producing pollution-free energy by September 15, 2004. It has been running continuously and is predicted to produce about 5.3 million kWh or enough power for 700 houses or about 15% of all the households in the Northfield area. Over its lifetime it will offset about 70,000 tons of carbon dioxide compared to a coal-fired power plant. In its first year it offset over 3,500 tons of CO₂, 12 tons of SO2, 9 tons of NOX, and 26 pounds of mercury. It would require about 1,200 acres of trees to sequester the carbon from the yearly energy production.

System Components

Directions

Click here for Google map

From the Green Institute, head south on 21st Avenue and turn right (west) at Lake Street. Turn left at Stevens Avenue. Take the I-35W South ramp and continue south on I-35 to the Highway 19 (Lonsdale Boulevard) exit (Exit 69) to Northfield/New Prague. Turn left (east) onto Highway 19 (Lonsdale Boulevard) and continue as it turns into 5th Street through Northfield. Turn left at Prairie Street. Bear right at Wall Street Road (will turn into East 90th Street) and continue 1.1 miles to turbine.

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