by jboullion | Oct 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From the Midwest Renewable Energy Association:
Visit homes and businesses with renewable energy systems during the Wisconsin Solar Tour!
Self-Guided Tours
Businesses – Friday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Homes – Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tour sites are owned, lived in, and worked in by ordinary people. They are helping others open the door to renewable energy. The Wisconsin Solar Tour is part of the National Solar Tour coordinated by the American Solar Energy Society.
Click here for a list of businesses and houses open in southwestern Wisconsin.
by jboullion | Sep 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
Focus on Energy announced that customers of Trempealeau Municipal Electric Department will become eligible for programs and services from Focus on Energy:
Customers will be able to participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella:
· Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
· Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
· Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
· Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
· Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
by jboullion | Sep 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in the Business Journal of Milwaukee:
Cardinal Glass Industries will receive a $500,000 loan to help finance an upgrade to the company’s photovoltaic glass production facility in Portage.
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act loan Tuesday at the opening of the Cardinal Solar Technologies facility in Mazomanie, a 180,000-square-foot plant that will grind, drill and temper two types of glass for use in photovoltaic solar panels. Another 80,000-square-foot section is planned as part of a second phase of construction.
At full capacity, the Mazomanie plant will produce 64 million square feet of tempered glass annually, Doyle said. The plant employs 54 workers but once it reaches full production, the plant has the potential to add an additional 60 to 70 employees.
by jboullion | Jul 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Paul Medinger in the Jackson County Chronicle:
The Ho-Chunk Housing and Community Developing Agency building in Tomah has made a switch to solar power.
HHCDA Executive Director Mark Butterfield said that the solar power for the facility at 1116 E. Monowau St. was expected to be up and running Monday after 39 solar panels were installed on the roof of the building last Wednesday and Thursday.
“The switch will be thrown on Monday,” Butterfield said. “This is all part of a pilot project.”
The 39 solar panels were installed by H & H Solar of Madison, and will generate nearly enough electricity to power the entire building. The project is funded through grant money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Butterfield said that the project will also receive approximately a 25-percent rebate from Focus on Energy. The HHCDA will also be credited 25 cents per kilowatt hour through Alliant Energy, which will provide about $2,500 per year.
Butterfield said that the system likely will pay for itself in 12 years. The cost of the project before the rebate is $77,000. Butterfield said that the switch is also part of the green energy movement, and he hopes that four other HHCDA facilities in Nekoosa, Wisconsin Dells, Black River Falls and the Blue Wing Village will make the switch to solar power in the future.
“We hope to eventually reduce all of (the facilities) to zero net energy,” Butterfield said. “Part of the whole plan is to save money. If we don’t spend it on the annual (electricity) expenses, we can put more money into housing.”
