Interview with Woody Bolton, Solar Design & Sales / Member-Owner, Northwind Solar
Tell us about your ‘origin story’…
Northwind Solar was founded in 2007 by Josh Stolzenburg and grew into several areas of focus including solar electric, solar thermal, small wind, and energy efficiency. Like the rest of the solar industry Northwind rode the “solar coaster” with unfriendly changes to utility rate structures, uncertainty around incentives and equipment costs. Through all that Northwind learned a lot and built internal capacities. This led to the transition in 2017 from an LLC to a worker owned cooperative and an exclusive focus on solar electric systems. Over the last few years Northwind has added in energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging and smart home panels.
Tell us about the different types of projects Northwind handles.
Northwind works in both the residential and commercial spaces. When it comes to commercial projects Northwind focuses on small to mid-sized systems up to 500 kW. Residential work comprises their largest number of projects and as of the last two years an increasingly growing portion of these projects have included energy storage, EV charging and smart home electric panels, providing customers with resilience and a greater degree of control on how they use energy in their homes.
What do your customers appreciate most about your work?
We consistently see in reviews that our customers love our installation team. Our crews are professional, approachable, communicate very well and always leave a customer site clean and tidy. We are constantly thinking how we can improve our process to make the next job even better.
What has been your experience with supply chain issues over the past year?
Like everyone else we experienced significant supply chain issues in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, things seemed to get back to closer to pre-pandemic times. We have a very skilled and diligent procurement team that has kept our warehouse stocked in order to complete projects.
Not everyone is pursuing battery systems yet and they are a core part of what you do. Why do your customers opt to incorporate a battery with their solar array?
Over the last two years we have seen a tremendous attachment rate for energy storage systems on residential systems. Most of our customers are doing it for backup power in the inevitable event of a grid outage. One benefit that not everyone sees from adding an energy storage system is that you protect yourself from likely utility rates changes by being able to supply most of your home electrical needs from solar and your energy storage system.
Tell us about making an impact in your communities…
Northwind is proud to be part of our central Wisconsin community. We live and work here and can provide service that out of state and remote companies just simply cannot. We have partnered with many local non-profit organizations in our area including, Central Rivers Farmshed, The Midwest Renewable Energy Association, North Central Conservancy Trust, Schmeeckle Nature Reserve, Habitat for Humanity, Mid State Technical College, local churches, farms, and governments.
Tell us about the most interesting or unique system you have installed.
In our earlier days we installed systems from Madeline Island to Door County to Kenosha and to La Crosse. Some unique systems we have installed are systems for the Madeline Island Ferry Line and several locations for the town of La Pointe (on Madeline Island) as they work toward a microgrid for the island community. Recently we have helped many homes become almost energy independent (If only we could get the sun to shine more in December and January in Wisconsin!) by utilizing solar and energy storage. Additionally, we installed a 140 kW array at the City of Stevens Point Water Department that offsets 100% of the annual electric usage at their garage building.
Member Spotlight: Northwind Solar
/in Member InstallersInterview with Woody Bolton, Solar Design & Sales / Member-Owner, Northwind Solar
Tell us about your ‘origin story’…
Northwind Solar was founded in 2007 by Josh Stolzenburg and grew into several areas of focus including solar electric, solar thermal, small wind, and energy efficiency. Like the rest of the solar industry Northwind rode the “solar coaster” with unfriendly changes to utility rate structures, uncertainty around incentives and equipment costs. Through all that Northwind learned a lot and built internal capacities. This led to the transition in 2017 from an LLC to a worker owned cooperative and an exclusive focus on solar electric systems. Over the last few years Northwind has added in energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging and smart home panels.
Tell us about the different types of projects Northwind handles.
Northwind works in both the residential and commercial spaces. When it comes to commercial projects Northwind focuses on small to mid-sized systems up to 500 kW. Residential work comprises their largest number of projects and as of the last two years an increasingly growing portion of these projects have included energy storage, EV charging and smart home electric panels, providing customers with resilience and a greater degree of control on how they use energy in their homes.
What do your customers appreciate most about your work?
We consistently see in reviews that our customers love our installation team. Our crews are professional, approachable, communicate very well and always leave a customer site clean and tidy. We are constantly thinking how we can improve our process to make the next job even better.
What has been your experience with supply chain issues over the past year?
Like everyone else we experienced significant supply chain issues in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, things seemed to get back to closer to pre-pandemic times. We have a very skilled and diligent procurement team that has kept our warehouse stocked in order to complete projects.
Not everyone is pursuing battery systems yet and they are a core part of what you do. Why do your customers opt to incorporate a battery with their solar array?
Over the last two years we have seen a tremendous attachment rate for energy storage systems on residential systems. Most of our customers are doing it for backup power in the inevitable event of a grid outage. One benefit that not everyone sees from adding an energy storage system is that you protect yourself from likely utility rates changes by being able to supply most of your home electrical needs from solar and your energy storage system.
Tell us about making an impact in your communities…
Northwind is proud to be part of our central Wisconsin community. We live and work here and can provide service that out of state and remote companies just simply cannot. We have partnered with many local non-profit organizations in our area including, Central Rivers Farmshed, The Midwest Renewable Energy Association, North Central Conservancy Trust, Schmeeckle Nature Reserve, Habitat for Humanity, Mid State Technical College, local churches, farms, and governments.
Tell us about the most interesting or unique system you have installed.
In our earlier days we installed systems from Madeline Island to Door County to Kenosha and to La Crosse. Some unique systems we have installed are systems for the Madeline Island Ferry Line and several locations for the town of La Pointe (on Madeline Island) as they work toward a microgrid for the island community. Recently we have helped many homes become almost energy independent (If only we could get the sun to shine more in December and January in Wisconsin!) by utilizing solar and energy storage. Additionally, we installed a 140 kW array at the City of Stevens Point Water Department that offsets 100% of the annual electric usage at their garage building.
Legacy Solar Cooperative Wins one of 25 prizes in U.S. energy competition
/in News(Distributed through the Tech Council News Service, a project of the Wisconsin Technology Council.)
MADISON, Wis. – Legacy Solar Cooperative, which has more than 280 members across Wisconsin, is one of 25 similar organizations in the United States to win a Phase 1 “Community Power Accelerator Prize” through the federal Department of Energy.
Part of a three-stage competition, Phase 1 winners such as Legacy Solar Co-op are enrolled in a 10-week accelerator program that trains, develops and supports new and continuing solar developers focused on community solar.
Community solar is a form of solar energy generation that allows all community members to access the meaningful benefits of renewable energy, particularly those with low-to-moderate incomes, renters and those for whom traditional rooftop solar is unavailable. Read more
Ribbon cutting ceremony for Curative Connections
/in Events, Project UpdatesLegacy Solar Co-op is proud to announce the ribbon cutting ceremony for Curative Connections’ Solar Panel Project taking place Thursday April 20th from 3-4pm in Green Bay. Read more
Sheboygan Senior Community Ribbon Cutting
/in EventsAnother LSC project online! Join us to celebrate Sheboygan Senior Community’s solar project.
Date/Time: Mar 21, 2023 4pm
Location: Sheboygan Senior Community, Sheboygan
Outreach to Communities in 2022
/in EventsLegacy Solar Co-op spent a significant amount of time promoting its programs and services directly to community groups by attending in-person and online events, including:
Read more
Are you interested in bringing solar to your humane society?
/in Project Updates, ProjectsLegacy Solar Co-op has experience working with community institutions, including local governments, faith- and service-based organizations, to:
If your humane society is investigating solar, please reach out to us and we would be happy to help. Here are a few humane societies/facilities we’ve helped so far:
Download an example document with these projects.
Annual Meeting 2022
/in EventsDate/Time: Wednesday, December 7th
Location: Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa Street, Madison, WI 53704 (Evjue & Merrill Lynch Rooms)
View Annual Meeting Recording
Regardless of your status as an Annual Member, a Lifetime Member, as a representative of an Institution Member, or even just curious about becoming a Member of our cooperative, you are invited to attend and participate in the review of our work in solar since our last member meeting in May and what lies ahead for us in 2023. Only one vote per member is allowed on any actionable motions that come up during the business meeting portion of the evening. This meeting will be broadcasted and recorded for anyone who cannot make it in person. Only members who receive a ballot before the meeting or who are in-person on the day of the meeting can cast votes. Read more
Switch-to-Solar offers a way to make your gifts green this holiday
/in Events, NewsLegacy Solar Co-op is inviting all solar champions to shop local and shop solar this Holiday Season.
Gift solar renewable energy certificates (sRECs) as stocking stuffers to family and friends (or for yourself) and be entered in a January prize drawing!
We have a goal to retire 250 sRECs this holiday season, help us get there!
Get more details or start gifting now!
What is a Carbon Footprint?
/in Advice/Education, sRECsI’m sure you’ve heard of Bigfoot…
But have you heard of a Big Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is the cumulative carbon waste and emissions attached to any individual, household or business. This means all the carbon emissions associated with driving, flying, using electricity, and purchasing or consumption habits that use fossil fuels as part of their processing. Read more
Are you interested in bringing solar to your school?
/in Case StudiesLegacy Solar Co-op has experience working with community institutions, including local governments, faith- and service-based organizations, to:
If your school is investigating solar, please reach out to us and we would be happy to help. Here are a few schools we’ve helped so far:
Download an example document with these projects.