On Sunday, October 13, 2024, First Presbyterian Church hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new 139.86-kilowatt solar array. This solar project is the largest system in Marshfield, Wisconsin, and is anticipated to offset 71.8% of the church’s electrical needs. Commissioned in September, the array has already produced 18,000 kilowatt hours of electricity,  enough power to completely cover its electric bill for the month, and marks the first of many months to come where the church runs purely off of clean energy. 

First Presbyterian Church is part of a collaborative network, Winnebago Presbytery, and is one of 28 congregations throughout Northeastern, Wisconsin. The church’s mission is to welcome “everyone to our faith journey, denying no one, regardless of their human condition, participation in church life. We are a sanctuary where people are accepted, included, and cared for as they are. As a community based on God’s love, we strive to serve our neighbors and the world.”

First Presbyterian Church’s journey into switching to clean energy began 21 years ago when the congregation chose to incorporate geothermal energy into its facilities. This form of energy production extracts heat from the ground to warm the facilities in colder months or provide cooling during hotter months. To continue its goal of further use of clean energy, the church turned to solar to enhance its efforts. When numerous forms of energy enhancements are combined, the impact of any one form of electrical generation is exemplified. 

On Sunday, the congregation, Church leaders, Northwind Solar, the Couillard Solar Foundation, and RENEW Wisconsin joined for a breakfast celebration and to hear from keynote speakers who helped get this project completed. First Presbyterian Church’s Solar Lead Gilbert Nimm, explained how transitioning to clean energy not only impacts the immediate environment in Marshfield but is ubiquitous in creating positive change at a much larger scale. 

“It became clear that there were tons and tons of carbon that we could stop from going into the atmosphere that affects people around the world,” Gilbert Nimm said, “We are very proud, you should all be proud that there are no fossil fuels being used in this facility.”

This solar project was completed thanks to the generous donations of the congregation through the capital campaign, “Reach for the Sun: Harnessing God’s Gift of Light”, an anonymous donor, Focus on Energy, and Solar for Good. Northwind Solar installed 260 panels at the location, each panel generating 540 kilowatts. Of the 260 panels, 129 were granted by the Couillard Solar Foundation in partnership with RENEW Wisconsin through Solar for Good.  

First Presbyterian joins a community of nonprofits across the state of Wisconsin who are committed to taking on the challenge of actively working to conserve energy. Going solar through Solar for Good is a foundational step in becoming both more conscious of energy consumption and using clean energy to serve communities. The first month of energy production for First Presbyterian Church is just the start of a long road of reduced carbon emissions and savings that can be redistributed into programming that benefits the community.

On Sunday, August 25, Blessed Sacrament Congregation and School joined in celebrating the upcoming school year and special addition of its new solar array. Their centennial anniversary marked a new beginning for the congregation in its transition to clean energy and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Through Solar for Good and an ongoing capital fundraising campaign supported by church members, Blessed Sacrament installed solar that is projected to reduce utility expenses by 12 percent, allowing for financial resources to be further allocated towards ministry, and community service including hunger relief efforts.  

Blessed Sacrament Congregation and School welcomes nearly 300 students annually to provide them with an education that aligns with the pillars of community, study, prayer, and ministry. Its impact extends beyond the students and congregation by servicing the community through hunger relief programs, supporting seniors with home maintenance assistance, and hosting discussions on environmental topics. As part of the congregation’s faith, caring for the planet is ingrained in its mission, education, and ministry. To amplify positive environmental impact and maximize financial resources, Blessed Sacrament initiated efforts to reduce energy consumption by turning to solar. 

In its application for the Solar for Good project, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and School articulated its motivation for installing solar panels. “The Earth is not just an accident of the cosmos but rather a gift of inestimable worth. We are called to respond to this gift by honoring the Earth and caring for it,” said Parish Operations Manager, Donna Roeck.

Through support from the congregation and dedicated team, the church worked with Full Spectrum Solar to install 37 panels on the roof of the school. Of the 37 panels, 18 were donations from Solar for Good. This renewable energy source will directly benefit the congregation and students through a clean energy transition. The church has also inspired congregation members to seek out renewable energy opportunities for their own homes through programs such as MadiSUN and Focus on Energy. 

Kara O’Connor, who was part of this solar panel project, shared, “We are working so that Catholic churches and schools can reap the full benefit of the renewable energy programs. We are grateful to RENEW Wisconsin, Solar for Good, and the Couilliard Solar Foundation for helping churches and schools like ours save money and reduce our environmental impact.”

The Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church’s solar installation demonstrates the congregation’s dedication to caring for the planet through environmental stewardship. Going solar is the first major step the parish intends to complete over the next few years, and have plans to increase its facilities’ clean energy impact. Blessed Sacrament’s efforts to conserve energy and educate the community serve as an example of how future organizations can further serve their communities, save money, and contribute to positive environmental change by going solar.

St. Paul’s Lutheran church welcomed hundreds of church members on Sunday, August 18 to celebrate the expansion of its facilities and addition of a 114.48 kilowatt (kW) DC system on the roof of its new gymnasium. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church serves the Onalaska community by connecting people to their faith to learn about forgiveness, love, and hope. This initiative to transition to renewable energy emphasizes the church’s commitment to becoming a more sustainable place for the community. 

Since 1888, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has been a pillar of the Coulee Region community by providing a place of worship. As the congregation expanded, they relocated in the town and later built a small school to begin serving students in 1974.  Today, St Paul’s Lutheran Church educates over 270 students. With a growing congregation and class sizes, they recognized the need to balance the expansion of new facilities and reducing energy costs. By reducing costs that go toward electrical bills, the church can focus its efforts on worship, continued after-school activities, and resources for education. 

Solar Connection installed 212 bifacial panels on the roof of the new gymnasium where future extracurricular activities and tournaments will be held. The system is expected to offset 65% of the church’s energy usage, producing approximately 135,000 kWh per year. This allows St. Paul’s Lutheran Church to redistribute energy savings by amplifying resources and education to the students they serve. In addition to educating the community about its updated facilities, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will be able to share the benefits of solar with students through a digital monitor so visitors and students can continue to learn about solar energy.

Through the generous donations of the congregation and grant funding, this project was able to come to fruition, allowing St. Paul’s Lutheran Church to continue its work in educating future leaders of the community. With the church in operation for nearly 70 years, the solar initiative makes significant strides in achieving clean infrastructure for current and future members. By making the transition to solar, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has made significant advancements in healing the earth through sustainable clean energy.

On Thursday, August 15, Coulee Region Humane Society (CRHS) celebrated the expansion of their animal shelter and the addition of 240 ground-mounted bifacial solar panels. CRHS is based out of Onalaska, centered in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. Having reliable and sustainable sources is instrumental to being able to provide energy for veterinary services and day-to-day care for animals. 

CRHS’ vision of acting as a regional leader in enhancing the well-being of wildlife and adoptable pets makes their transition to solar energy a demonstration of the shelter’s commitment to providing the best services for the animals they care for. Their impact extends beyond animals within their immediate care to the Onalaska community.

In addition to providing housing for homeless animals, the humane society also offers dog training programs, and reduced fees for veterinary services to increase accessibility to veterinary care, and wildlife rehabilitation. If you ever find yourself at the humane society, you may also meet Flower, their de-scented skunk who helps with educational programming for youth!

To be able to focus the organization’s resources on animals, CRHS turned to solar technology. The nonprofit requires a significant amount of energy to ensure that all animals within their care receive optimal shelter by cleaning the laundry daily. In 2023 alone, over 2,000 domestic animals came into their care. The savings from their solar array will reduce operational costs and allow their team to prioritize funding to the core of their mission in serving animals that enter their doors. 

CRHS’ new 129.6 kilowatt (kW) solar array, installed by Solar Connections, is expected to cover 80-85% of their annual electrical needs. While their focus is on animals, the humane society strives to make a greater positive impact on the Onalaska community and environment.

With the completion of their solar array, CRHS joins over 200 mission-based nonprofits in Wisconsin that have also decided to turn to clean energy sources with the support of Solar for Good. Through collective impact, these organizations demonstrate leadership in Wisconsin’s transition to renewable energy, creating a sustainable future for all.

On Sunday, June 23, Stoughton United Methodist Church held a solar dedication event to celebrate their new solar array, which will cover 92% of the building’s annual energy use and offset 87% of the church’s annual electric costs. As a faith-based institution committed to welcoming all and building loving relationships that serve God, the church offers numerous community programs, including a food pantry, support for Ukrainian refugees, and programs for older adults. These initiatives reflect their mission to be good stewards of their resources.

To maximize these resources and amplify their impact, Stoughton United Methodist Church turned to solar to reduce operational costs and strengthen financial sustainability. The savings from their new solar array will allow the church to reallocate funds into other essential missions and ministries, furthering their positive impact on the community. By installing solar panels, the church also aspires to lead by example for its neighbors, demonstrating their dedication to environmental stewardship and the well-being of future generations.

“Like so many in the faith community, our church is always looking for opportunities to better utilize limited resources,” said Lisa Urban, board chair at Stoughton United Methodist Church. “The installation of a solar array – and the cost savings it’s expected to generate – will play an important role in keeping us financially viable for years to come.”

The church’s new 24.42 kilowatt (kW) solar array, installed by Synergy Renewable Energy Systems, is set to produce approximately 32,632 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. The influence of neighbors installing a solar array of this size is significant, and Stoughton United Methodist Church exemplifies this idea. As the second church in Stoughton to install solar, they were inspired by their colleagues’ commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and hope to create a ripple effect, motivating others to follow suit.

The completion of Stoughton United Methodist Church’s solar project marks a major milestone in its journey towards sustainability and financial resilience. By embracing renewable energy, they are not only securing their future but also contributing to the broader mission of environmental stewardship and community betterment.

With the completion of its solar array, Stoughton United Methodist Church joins a community of over 200 nonprofits in Wisconsin who have made the same decision with the support of Solar for Good. Together, strides are being made towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.