On Earth Day 2025, Agrace, a community-based healthcare organization dedicated to providing personalized care and support to individuals facing serious health challenges, celebrated a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainability. Agrace unveiled its 510-kilowatt solar array, symbolizing its dedication to environmental stewardship and its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2025. This achievement was made possible through Agrace’s partnership with RENEW Wisconsin and the Couillard Solar Foundation’s Solar for Good program and Full Spectrum Solar.
The unveiling event brought together key interested parties, including Jackie Harrison-Jewell, Executive Director of the Couillard Solar Foundation, Jamie Moen, Agrace’s Chief Operating Officer, and representatives from RENEW Wisconsin. The occasion marked the launch of the solar system and highlighted Agrace’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, demonstrating how clean energy solutions can benefit both the environment and the community.
For more than 45 years, Agrace has been at the forefront of providing compassionate care across Southcentral Wisconsin. Its mission to help people live better during treatment for serious illness, care for elderly loved ones, and support individuals after a loss has always been central to the organization’s purpose. In 2021, Agrace launched a strategic initiative to better understand its environmental impact and develop a plan to reduce its emissions, which led to the decision to focus on sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint.
The healthcare sector represents a significant opportunity for adopting clean energy solutions like solar. Transitioning to renewable energy not only addresses greenhouse gas emissions on a large scale but also fosters energy resilience, allowing healthcare facilities to continue effectively caring for patients, even during disruptions caused by severe weather. Agrace’s commitment to sustainability sets an inspiring example, demonstrating how strategic actions can lead to both environmental and operational benefits.
Agrace’s first major step in its journey toward carbon neutrality was the installation of a 510-kilowatt solar system on the rooftop of its Madison facility. This system, which went live on August 26, 2024, has the capacity to power more than 60 homes and is expected to offset 20.84% of the facility’s electricity needs. The solar array is part of a broader strategy that includes energy conservation efforts, retro-commissioning of existing equipment, and the purchase of green power and carbon offsets.
The Solar for Good grant program played a vital role in supporting Agrace’s renewable energy efforts. The Solar for Good program helps nonprofit organizations, like Agrace, reduce energy costs and advance their mission. Thanks to a $20,000 award from Solar for Good in the Fall of 2023, Agrace was able to fund this transformative solar array. Agrace also leveraged additional funding sources, including Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program and Direct Pay incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act.
Full Spectrum Solar, the firm behind the installation, was instrumental in bringing Agrace’s clean energy goal to life. The team worked closely with Agrace to ensure the project was executed smoothly, providing valuable guidance on system performance and capacity. The solar array is now visible from various courtyards throughout the facility, allowing both staff and residents to benefit from the renewable energy.
Beyond reducing Agrace’s utility bills, the solar array plays a vital role in reducing the organization’s reliance on traditional energy sources. By producing its own renewable energy, Agrace is able to direct energy savings into vital programs such as Age at Home, Supportive Care, Hospice Care, and Grief Support, all of which serve the local community. Agrace plans to further its sustainability efforts by encouraging staff and residents to adopt energy-saving habits and exploring additional energy-efficient technologies like electric vehicle charging stations, battery storage, and heat pumps.
Agrace’s work serves as a powerful reminder of the positive impact that small actions, like transitioning to solar energy, can have on both the environment and the community. Through its partnership with Solar for Good to transition to solar, Agrace is not only committing to clean energy but also setting an example for others to follow. By continuing to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency, Agrace is ensuring that its critical services will continue supporting the health and well-being of the people of Wisconsin while also making a lasting positive impact on the planet.