The turbines get to work when winds get above 8 mph.
"They help with the power bill, basically," said Charles Scandone, the college's director of facilities.
Each turbine generates about 1,000 kilowatts of energy and will help power a nearby parking lot's LED lighting.
The 25-foot turbines stand outside a building that will soon house environmental science classes and serves as headquarters for the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.
Thomas Freitag, college vice president for finance and administration, said it's hard to say how much money the turbines will save in the long run.
Scandone said the college's electric bill is way up there and that every little bit helps. But one hoped-for result, Freitag said, is that they'll generate discussion.
"They show our visitors and students one of the ways in which you can use energy to help supplement electricity," he said.
The turbines are the result of a partnership with Siemens, which lent the college $4 million to implement energy-savings measures.
Each turbine cost $20,000 to $30,000, Freitag said. Other projects include converting buildings from propane to natural gas, upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and replacing outdoor lights with LEDs.
And a "green" shuttle bus that runs on natural gas, which will transport students between MCCC's two campuses, was dedicated last week along with the turbines.
Those projects are expected to pay for themselves within the next 15 years, Freitag said, and then some. The college is contracted to pay back Siemens at the end of that term.
"That way we don't have to put up the money," he said, "and we are achieving our purpose to reduce our carbon footprint at the same time."
The initiatives are projected to save the college $317,000 in 2014.
Contact Laura Newberry: 610-371-5081 or lnewberry@readingeagle.com.
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