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Project Announcements

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5/27/21

Kathy’s House

Photo credit: Kathy’s House

Located near the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center in Wauwatosa, Kathy’s House recently switched on its 77 kW solar array thanks to the help of Legacy Solar Co-op, Renew Wisconsin, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and generous donors. Kathy’s House provides affordable lodging and a supportive environment for those who need to travel to Milwaukee for medical care. Solar generated from their new array will take care of approximately 40% of the building’s energy needs, saving money that can go toward supporting its guests. Read project overview and watch their story on WISN.

 

All Saints Lutheran Church

Photo credit: SpectrumNews1.com

We are also celebrating a new 20kW solar array on All Saints Lutheran Church in Fitchburg this month, a system that will generate close to all of their energy from the sun! Member installer Midwest Solar Power LLC completed the installation. The church received support from Legacy Solar Co-op and a RENEW Wisconsin Solar for Good grant, but the driving force came from within the congregation, which has a true dedication to renewable energy.

 

 

Calling All Sustainable Business Owners!

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5/27/21

We are thrilled to be updating our Switch to Solar (S2S) program and providing our members and the general public with more ways to consider and counter their carbon footprint. We are also considering carbon footprint calculators in addition to educational resources about carbon pricing markets and how we collectively achieve carbon-neutrality in the coming years.

We’re also reaching out to partner with you in order to help subscribers counter their carbon emissions with the annual or monthly purchase of S2S solar renewable energy credits (RECs) and receive a green shopping perk! Research shows that 60-75% of consumers ages 18-40 actively seek green products and are willing to pay more for them. We believe we can help reach new customers with curated rewards connected to our Switch 2 Solar (S2S) program. For more information or to discuss your options, please contact the S2S Coordinator, Elise, at elise@legacysolarcoop.org or 608-957-9508.

happy house

Now is the Time to get Involved in a Solar Group Buy!

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4/30/21

Why now? As we respond to dozens of interested homeowners, businesses and nonprofits, we are cognizant that installer schedules are filling up. It may be April (almost May) now, but soon enough you may have to wait several months, or even until 2022 to have your system installed. We also want to make sure you take advantage of group buy pricing. As materials costs rise, so do installation costs.

What can you do next?

Visit our solar group buy webpage, where you can: Read more

Concept membership committee

Announcing Legacy’s Refer-a-Friend Membership Drive

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4/30/21

Thank you so much for being a part of Legacy Solar Co-op!

As a member-owned cooperative, we depend on you to help us achieve our mission of building a solar legacy for Wisconsin. Your support has already helped us:

  • Provide unique funding for more than 20 solar projects involving nonprofit organizations and offer consulting advice to many more
  • Start a group buy program focusing on solar for homeowners and small businesses
  • Help make over 2 megawatts of solar power a reality for Wisconsin residents, organizations and communities

To continue this good work we need to continue to expand our membership. You can help (and maybe win a prize) by encouraging new memberships. Read more

Elise Couillard

Meet Elise Couillard, S2S Coordinator at Legacy Solar Co-op

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Elise Couillard

4/19/21

Elise Couillard has recently become the Switch 2 Solar (S2S) Coordinator with Legacy Solar Co-op. She is also currently the Treasurer for the Couillard Solar Foundation.

When Elise isn’t promoting solar, reducing food waste and pulling recyclable items out of the trash, you may find her working on her tiny house on wheels or watching wildlife. Elise holds a BS in Biology and Psychology and a MSc in Biology, and will always love field research and behavioral ecology. Ultimately, she centers much of what she does around making a positive impact on earth and having a small carbon footprint.

Read more about the S2S Program.

happy house

1.25 Million Wisconsinites Now Eligible for Two Solar Group Buys

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4/19/21

The Northwoods Solar Group Buy is in collaboration with Carlson Electric, a member installer. Homeowners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in the following counties in northwest Wisconsin: Eau Claire, Chippewa, St. Croix, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, Price, Polk, Barron, Rusk, Dunn, Taylor, Clark.

The Dane County Solar Group Buy is endorsed by the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change and is in collaboration with member installers, Full Spectrum Solar and Midwest Solar Power, LLC.

Growing solar in Wisconsin starts with folks in communities like yours who are passionate about renewable energy or energy independence and are looking for ways to act.

Here are a few ways you can help spread the word about this opportunity:

Read more

Fitchburg pharmacy

March Pop-up Vaccination event thru Fitchburg Pharmacy

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4/2/21

On Monday, March 29, the Co-op partnered with Thad Schumacher, founder and pharmacist at Fitchburg Pharmacy, to provide over 40 community members with COVID vaccinations! This pop-up vaccination location took place at Zion Faith Community in Madison, where the Co-op’s office is located.

The pharmacy continues to fulfill its mission of serving the Madison area with personal attention to individual needs.

Northwoods Solar Group Buy Benefits Communities in Northwest Wisconsin

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Legacy Solar Co-op

3/26/21–Madison, WI

Legacy Solar Co-op is announcing the launch of its Northwoods Solar Group Buy, in collaboration with Carlson Electric. This program offers homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations across northwest Wisconsin access to solar at lower rates than they can negotiate for themselves. It also gives residents in 17 counties the easy button through a recent financing option with greenpenny, a virtual and carbon-neutral bank dedicated to financing a sustainable tomorrow.

This opportunity is being offered in the following counties: Eau Claire, Chippewa, St. Croix, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, Price, Polk, Barron, Rusk, Dunn, Taylor, Clark.

The first in a series of educational webinars to learn more about the Northwoods Solar Group Buy is on Tuesday, April 6 at 6:00pm (register here).

Join the mailing list to be notified as future webinars are scheduled. Read more

The 2021 Dane County Solar Group Buy Will Benefit Communities And You

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Legacy Solar Co-op

3/21/21–Madison, WI

Legacy Solar Co-op is announcing the launch of its Dane County Solar Group Buy, endorsed by the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change and in collaboration with selected installers, Full Spectrum Solar and Midwest Solar Power, LLC. This program offers homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations across Dane County access to solar from vetted installers at lower rates than they can negotiate for themselves. It also gives Dane County residents the easy button through a recent financing option with greenpenny, a virtual and carbon-neutral bank dedicated to financing a sustainable tomorrow.

The first in a series of educational webinars to learn more about the Dane County Solar Group Buy is on Tuesday, April 13 at 6:00pm (register here). Webinar participants will learn:

  • How to produce clean, renewable energy from the sun
  • How solar protects against rising energy costs
  • How participants reduce or even eliminate their electric bill
  • How quickly investing in solar can pay for itself
  • How solar increases property values

Read more

people on roof with panels

2021 Will Be Twice As Busy For Projects

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St. Johns Lutheran Church in Oregon, WI

St. Johns Lutheran Church in Oregon, WI

2/26/21

2021 will likely be twice as busy for the Co-op as was 2020, but we are ready to take it on, and more!  The following are at various stages of development.  To get your community institution to show up on this list, please contact Kurt@legacysolarcoop.org.

  • Several Wisconsin-based Humane Societies — Let us know your favorite one and we’ll try to get a solar project started there this year!
  • Several Churches — Some started in 2020 but due to the pandemic, many were delayed.  Let us know if your church could use solar!
  • Multiple Schools — Both parochial and public schools are on the docket for 2021 Solar Legacy projects.  Is your school district open to solar?
  • Municipalities — Some old, some new.  Since Kurt’s talk with the Green Tier Legacy Communities, more cities, villages, and counties are looking at solar.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs — One is voting this week on a Solar Legacy project; hopefully, others will follow suit.  Do you know anyone at your local Boys & Girls Club?
  • Affordable Housing Developments — We are working with multiple housing groups to help to save residents electricity by using solar to offset utility payments.