by Tiana Snyder | Jan 17, 2025 | Solar, Solar for Good
On Monday, January 13, Gilda’s Club Madison invited representatives from RENEW Wisconsin, Couillard Solar Foundation, Only in Wisconsin, Glow Solar, and their members to join in the celebration of a monumental achievement. Gilda’s Club with the help of its supporters installed a solar array that will offset 100% of its electrical usage.
Gilda’s Club was established in 1991 to honor the late comedian, Gilda Radner, with a mission to uplift and strengthen people who are impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. In 2008, Gilda’s Club Madison opened its doors to the Wisconsin community, becoming one of many worldwide affiliates. Over the years, the organization has been a foundational resource for its members in providing free counseling services, social events such as a brunch club, field trips across Dane County, equestrian therapy, and more.
Glow Solar installed a 31.4-kilowatt solar system. John Reinders, President of Glow Solar shared, “At Glow Solar, we love working with non-profits to design and implement renewable energy solutions that fit their individual goals. In the case of Gilda’s Club, we helped them design and install a system that will meet their goals to offset 100% of their annual electric usage, look great on their building, and continue to serve their clients without worrying about escalating energy costs. The grants from Focus on Energy and Solar for Good help make it a great time for non-profits like Gilda’s Club to pursue their renewable energy goals.”
For many, going solar is a viable opportunity to continue helping their members thrive without having to reduce support for their mission. With the availability of direct pay incentives for nonprofits, organizations like Gilda’s Club Madison are able to enhance their sustainability initiatives and focus more funding toward their mission by going solar. In addition to taking advantage of federal and state funding, the solar project also received support from BIOFerm, Only in Wisconsin (the charitable arm of New Glarus Brewing Company), and Solar for Good, a program funded and founded by the Couillard Solar Foundation and managed by RENEW Wisconsin.
In reflecting on the long-term impact solar will have on their community, the CEO of Gilda’s Club Madison, Lannia Stenz shared, “We are thrilled to install solar panels at Gilda’s Club Madison, taking a meaningful step toward sustainability and reducing our environmental footprint! This project is a testament to the power of community—thank you to Solar for Good and everyone who made this possible. Your support not only brightens our future but also ensures that Gilda’s Club can continue offering vital resources to those facing cancer, free of charge, for many years to come.”
Beyond solar serving as a responsible financial decision, it’s also an investment in the health and sustainability of Wisconsin communities. In the case of Gilda’s Club Madison, their decision to go solar contributes to cleaner air by reducing carcinogenic air pollutants and offers a promise to their members that they can continue providing support to families and individuals living with cancer. This celebration serves as an important reminder for Wisconsin that when mission-driven organizations, residents, and businesses collectively make an investment in clean energy, they are also making a direct investment into their communities.
by RENEW Wisconsin | Jan 16, 2025 | Renewables, Solar
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has approved the Maple Grove Solar project, a 260-megawatt (MW) project with a 50 MW battery which will be located in Barron County, Wisconsin. Commissioned by ibV Energy Partners, this project will produce enough energy to power more than 30,000 homes.
Along with getting us another step closer to our decarbonization goals, Maple Grove Solar will produce significant economic benefits for the surrounding area. During its construction phase, an estimated 608 jobs — 286 of them being local — will be created. Upon completion, the project will support just under 30 long-term jobs with 18 of them being local. In addition, the county and towns that host this project will receive a $1.3 million boost in new yearly tax revenue.
RENEW Wisconsin staff have advocated for the project since it was proposed. Our policy team provided expert testimony and analysis in support of the project, which helped the PSC reach their decision. While sharing the reasoning behind their decision, PSC Commissioner Kristy Nieto directly referenced RENEW staff testimony.
RENEW’s testimony highlighted the various economic advantages of the project along with the benefits for farmers, expected emissions reductions, and general health.
- Projects like this help to keep farms with families thanks to diversified revenue from the land leases
- More than 400,000 short tons of carbon emissions will be avoided in the first year of the project’s operation
- The reduction of emissions can limit additional strain on the rural healthcare system by reducing pollutant-related illnesses
The construction of Maple Grove Solar is expected to be completed sometime in 2029.
by RENEW Wisconsin | Dec 12, 2024 | Renewables, Solar
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has approved the Vista Sands solar project at its full size of 1.3 gigawatts. The impact of this decision is difficult to overstate, as this project alone will reduce the carbon emissions of our state’s electric sector by nearly 5 percent. This would mean the removal of 1.7 million short tons of carbon emissions each year by producing enough solar energy to power nearly 250,000 typical Wisconsin homes.
The project also has significant economic benefits and is expected to create about 2,200 jobs during the construction period along with 165 long-term jobs. In all the project is estimated to increase Wisconsin’s long-term economic output by more than $50 million. Local governments within the project area will also benefit from annual utility aid payments of $6.5 million through the course of the project’s life.
RENEW Wisconsin staff and our supporters have advocated for the project since it was proposed by the developer, Doral Renewables, LLC. Our policy team provided expert testimony and analysis in support of the project, which helped the PSC reach their decision to approve it. In their decision on Thursday, December 12, the PSC affirmed the collaborative efforts of the developer as it navigated competing opinions surrounding the project.
The project was at risk of being subjected to half-mile setbacks from the Buena Vista Wildlife Area, which would have significantly reduced its size and put the economics of the project in jeopardy. The request for the setback came out of concern for the greater prairie chicken, a threatened species of bird.
RENEW recognizes the need for balance as we work to meet our decarbonization goals and we agree with the PSC that the Doral provided robust collaboration with the many parties interested in the project and surrounding area. Around 90 percent of the project is located more than half a mile from the wildlife area and the developer has set aside additional habitat for greater prairie chicken populations. The developer also eliminated most of the above-ground transmission in their plan, will install bird diverters on fencing, and will fund the maintenance of existing conservation land.
Now that it’s approved, the project is expected to break ground in the spring of next year with an estimated completion date of December 2028. This project sets a new bar for future solar installations across the state.
by Tiana Snyder | Nov 21, 2024 | RENEW Wisconsin, Solar, Solar for Good
The Solar for Good grant program has awarded over $220,000 in grants and solar panel donations to Wisconsin nonprofit organizations for the Fall 2024 grant round. The 14 nonprofits will install 16 projects for a total of 1,000 kilowatts of solar electricity, leading to more than $2.3 million in renewable energy investments in Wisconsin.
The following organizations have been awarded Fall 2024 Solar for Good grants to install new solar energy
systems:
CAP Services, Inc. – community service, Stevens Point
COULEECAP, Inc. Hillcrest Manor – affordable housing, Ontario
COULEECAP, Inc. REACH – community service, La Crosse
EAGLE School of Madison – education, Fitchburg
Family and Children’s Center – community service, La Crosse
Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Inc. – community service, Beloit
Holy Spirit Parish – house of worship, Stevens Point
Hunger Task Force – community service, West Milwaukee
Ozaukee Food Alliance – community service, Saukville
Recreation and Fitness Resources Center – recreation, Bayfield
Union Congregational United Church of Christ – house of worship, Green Bay
VIA CDC – affordable housing, Milwaukee
West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency – affordable housing, Hudson
*One organization has asked to remain anonymous.
The grant recipients from the Fall 2024 grant round are a diverse range of organizations, representing affordable housing organizations, schools, and houses of worship. Each facility’s solar project will have a significant impact on their budgets, and will allow them to focus more funds on their missions. Holy Spirit Parish will install 90 panels atop their place of worship in Stevens Point, Family Services of Southern Wisconsin will incorporate 69.6kW of solar to their rooftop, and VIA CDC will install solar systems of 5.33 kilowatts on three housing projects in Milwaukee.
“We are thrilled and deeply grateful for this opportunity through RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good initiative. This support allows us to further our mission with VIA’s Turnkey Program and new construction housing, making a lasting, positive impact on our community through sustainable energy,” said JoAnna Bautch, Executive Director at VIA CDC.
Similarly, the Solar for Good grant will allow Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois to continue serving families in need by reducing operational costs and allocating more funding to programming.
“This funding has allowed us to equip our Next Steps Family Resilience Center with solar power that will be vital to the long-term sustainability of this programming for unhoused parents with young children while also contributing to a healthier community overall,” said Kelsey M. Hood-Christenson, President and CEO, of Family & Children’s Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
Since 2017, Solar for Good has awarded grants to over 200 nonprofits across Wisconsin, leading to more than $29.4 million of renewable energy investments in the state. Collectively, Solar for Good grant recipients will go on to install more than 10 megawatts of solar energy.
“We are most grateful to the Couillard Solar Foundation for awarding us half the solar panels we need for installation of our solar array at Holy Spirit Parish in Stevens Point,” said Susan Zach Burns, Solar Project Lead of Holy Spirit Parish. “By reducing our reliance on fossil fuel and turning to solar for a good share of our energy needs, we are joining with you and others to address greenhouse gas emissions and to care for our common home, our beautiful Earth.”
“Our congregation has been energized literally and figuratively by our solar installation and our grant from Solar for Good. Not only will our installation reduce the carbon footprint of our church, it has inspired our members to invest in solar and other climate-friendly initiatives as well,” said Reverand Bridget Flad Daniels, Union Congregational UCC of Green Bay.
Through the assistance from Solar for Good grants, these 16 installations will accelerate Wisconsin’s transition to solar energy, facilitating the expansion of environmental stewardship and energy savings. As Solar for Good looks ahead to future grant rounds, the program will remain committed to supporting nonprofits and houses of worship across the state of Wisconsin by supporting organizations in their efforts to contribute to a positive environmental impact, enhance economic advancement in Wisconsin, and strengthen their ability to aid the communities they serve.
by Tiana Snyder | Nov 11, 2024 | Solar, Solar for Good
On Friday, November 1, Cooperative Education Services Agency 10 (CESA 10) celebrated the completion of its new 124.2-kilowatt solar array during their ribbon-cutting ceremony. Member school districts, Solar Connection, the Green Team, Couillard Solar Foundation, and RENEW Wisconsin joined the event to celebrate this significant milestone. The organization’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability in education sets a strong example for school districts and surrounding communities on the benefits of renewable energy and how they can go solar too.
Solar Connection installed a ground-mount solar system consisting of 235 solar panels with 115 panels secured through the Solar for Good grant program. The solar system is set to offset the organization’s electrical consumption by approximately 75%. The successful installation of this project was made possible through dedicated support from the CESA 10 team and support from funding sources. Additionally, the team took advantage of federal and state incentives including the Inflation Reduction Act and Focus on Energy.
Serving 29 school districts and more than 36,000 students, CESA 10 plays a crucial role in offering educational programs and services, ranging from college readiness programs to educational technology and facilities management. Choosing to go solar reflects a key part of their mission in helping schools reduce operational costs so that greater resources can be allocated to enriching the educational experience of students. Its new solar array will not only reduce its own operational costs, but also demonstrate to educators, students, and the broader community the long-term benefits of clean renewable energy.
Going solar is the latest step in CESA 10’s broader sustainability initiatives, but their journey into greater energy efficiency began several years ago. In recent years, they have also undertaken several energy efficiency upgrades including adding LED lighting, improving installation, and replacing roofs of its facilities. Each efficiency upgrade adds up to have a significant positive impact, including lower operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint. With the solar panels recently commissioned, the organization consistently plans to work towards further energy improvements.
Through their efforts, CESA 10 is not only benefiting their own facility but also contributing to a future where solar energy plays a larger role in Wisconsin’s schools. As a leader in showcasing the tools accessible to educators, this project encourages others to consider how they can explore clean energy solutions to enhance their efforts in serving students and having a positive environmental impact.
by RENEW Wisconsin | Nov 5, 2024 | Electrification, Policy, Solar
Recently RENEW Wisconsin joined 350 Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin, Elevate, West Cap, and Powerlines to discuss the proposed changes to electric metering rules. You can watch the webinar and read below to learn more about the subject and how you can get involved.
Installing clean energy technology such as solar panels on multifamily buildings, whether they be apartments, condos, or co-ops often has more hurdles than it does for single-family homes and businesses. Wisconsin’s rules surrounding electric metering of Wisconsin residential buildings, (PSC 113.0803), require each individual unit of a building to have its own electric meters.
Electric metering has a direct impact on installation costs for technologies such as solar arrays, heat pumps, and more. This is mainly due to the amount of wiring required through the building to meet current requirements.
These outdated metering rules can exclude those who live in multifamily buildings from the benefits provided by clean and energy-efficient technology. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is actively reviewing the rules in order to update them. We look forward to a favorable change to these rules.
Speakers:
Orrie Walsvik, RENEW Wisconsin
Ciaran Gallagher, Clean Wisconsin
Emily Park, 350 Wisconsin
Heather Allen, Elevate
Mike Noreen, West Cap
And special guest, Charles Hua, Powerlines
