(This is the first of a 4-month series on climate or carbon offsets and the S2S program)
By Kurt Reinhold, President of Legacy Solar Wisconsin Cooperative, 3/19/20
This month, Bayfield County officially completed its goal of 100% Carbon Free Electricity operations by purchasing the final 50 Megawatt-hours* of solar offsets (solar RECs) from Legacy Solar Cooperative’s Switch-to-Solar REC inventory. The solar electricity that was purchased by Bayfield County was generated in Monona, Wisconsin by rooftop solar in 2018 and 2019.
*The actual number of kWhs of solar purchased is 49,500 (equal to 49.5 MWh).
For many, this announcement may be just as impressive as it is confusing to understand. At some point, everybody will have asked themselves, “what does Carbon Neutral even mean”? Is it the same as “Net Zero” emissions or even the newer term “Climate Neutral”? And, how did Bayfield County calculate their emissions as well as their achievement of neutrality?
Read more
Solar Legacy Projects
/in Projects /by DandelionSolar Legacy Projects are solar energy installations built on community institutions like schools, libraries, or churches. They have been designed and built by local stakeholders. We call them “legacy” projects because solar generates pollution-free electricity for the community and future generations long after it’s installed –– often 30 years or more.
You too can help support these projects through our Slice of Sun Solar Bonds program. Any member can earn up to 5% interest on their bonds purchased through the co-op. Your contribution by purchasing solar bonds allows us to help finance these community projects. You can choose to keep your interest or donate it to a non-profit of your choosing, or event donate the entire bond to a non-profit. Or, you can include your bond in your estate planning. Lots of ways to go green, to earn green, and to help community organizations!
So even if you live in the shade you can actively help grow solar energy in Wisconsin! Learn more about the Slice of Sun Solar Bonds program.
Next Western Dane County Solar Group Buy Webinars Scheduled for June 3rd and June 14th
/in Events, News /by Peter FialaIf you live in western Dane County and have ever thought about adding solar to your home, this is the year to do it. Legacy Solar Co-op and community volunteers from the Town of Vermont’s Climate Action Committee have partnered with All Sky Energy and Eagle Point Solar to offer deep discounts and special financing options on solar projects in 2020. The goal of this group buy is to add half a megawatt of solar to Wisconsin’s energy mix. Read more
Solar Group Buy Webinar Will Take Place on May 14th for Western Dane County Residents
/in Events, News /by Peter FialaIf you live in western Dane County and have ever thought about adding solar to your home, this is the year to do it. Legacy Solar Co-op and community volunteers from the Town of Vermont’s Climate Action Committee have partnered with All Sky Energy and Eagle Point Solar to offer deep discounts and special financing options on solar projects in 2020. The goal of this group buy is to add half a megawatt of solar to Wisconsin’s energy mix. Read more
Christ Lutheran Church of Spring Green
/in Projects /by Peter FialaLOCATION: Spring Green, Wisconsin | CAPACITY: 18 kW | COMPLETION DATE: December 2018
SOLAR CONTRACTOR:
Christ Lutheran Church has served the Spring Green, WI community for 135 years. In 2018, the co-op began planning another phase of their history: generating power from the sun. The resulting project should generate roughly 60% of the church’s electricity and set a great example of environmental stewardship for the community and for other congregations.
Member installer WES Engineering installed a 54 panel photovoltaic system, that is estimated to produce 22,000 kWh/year. The system is mounted on a racking system on the church’s Fellowship Hall, consists of panels from Adani Solar and uses individual module optimizers from Solaredge.
The church received a Solar for Good grant from Renew Wisconsin, which was used to help bring the cost down for the church, in addition to securing a tax sponsor.
Gallery
Slice of Sun Solar Bonds
Legacy Solar Co-op sells Slice-of-Sun Solar Bonds to any member who would like to support a Solar Legacy project like this one, and earn up to 5% interest on their bonds purchased through the co-op. Ready to get involved?
Announcing the Western Dane County Group Buy Program
/in News /by Peter FialaPeter Fiala, 4/29/20
The Western Dane County Group Buy Program was announced on April 28, 2020 at the third in a series of Climate Action Workshops, which took place via webinar.
Legacy Solar Co-op (LSC), in conjunction with the Town of Vermont’s Climate Action Committee and other communities, is proud to offer the residents of western Dane County a Group Buy Program for the installation of new, residential solar arrays at a lower price than a typical residential installation. This program will last from May through December 2020.
The goal of the program is to increase solar education and adoption in the communities of Western Dane County, including Vermont Township, Middleton, Mount Horeb, Black Earth, Blue Mounds, Mazomanie, Cross Plains, Verona, Berry, Springdale and the surrounding area.
Read more.
LSC Sells Switch-to-Solar (S2S) RECs to Bayfield County
/in Advice/Education /by Peter Fiala(This is the first of a 4-month series on climate or carbon offsets and the S2S program)
By Kurt Reinhold, President of Legacy Solar Wisconsin Cooperative, 3/19/20
This month, Bayfield County officially completed its goal of 100% Carbon Free Electricity operations by purchasing the final 50 Megawatt-hours* of solar offsets (solar RECs) from Legacy Solar Cooperative’s Switch-to-Solar REC inventory. The solar electricity that was purchased by Bayfield County was generated in Monona, Wisconsin by rooftop solar in 2018 and 2019.
*The actual number of kWhs of solar purchased is 49,500 (equal to 49.5 MWh).
For many, this announcement may be just as impressive as it is confusing to understand. At some point, everybody will have asked themselves, “what does Carbon Neutral even mean”? Is it the same as “Net Zero” emissions or even the newer term “Climate Neutral”? And, how did Bayfield County calculate their emissions as well as their achievement of neutrality?
Read more
Climate Action 3-Part Workshop – Feb. 25, March 31 & April 28, 2020
/in Events /by Peter FialaLearn what others are doing today, locally and nationally. Get practical advice about energy efficiency, adding renewable energy sources, and available incentives. Focus on actions you can take at your home, at your business and in our community today to help reduce our impact on our environment.
Building on two climate change meetings held last year in Cross Plains, this 3-step workshop will unfold over three months on three evenings.
This series is being put on for interested residents and businesses in Cross Plains, Black Earth, Mazomanie, Mt. Horeb and neighboring townships. Read more
Going Beyond Rooftop Solar – Making the Decision
/in Advice/Education /by Peter FialaBy Nick Hein, 2/26/20
A year after Ken and Barb installed their solar array with the help of Legacy Solar Co-op, it’s been performing even better than expected -producing more than 100% of their electric needs. That’s gotten them thinking, since their utility doesn’t pay them as much for the excess, they’d like to use it to offset (or eliminate) their natural gas usage. They wonder if replacing their current furnace, water heater and appliances with the most efficient models available, their rooftop array could produce all the energy they need to use in a year. Then they could completely disconnect the natural gas service.* So it looks like they could become 100% net-zero, and now the question is whether they should. Let’s join Ken and Barb one evening as they discuss it.
“Barb, I’ve been reading about something called ‘Deep Energy Retrofits’ where homeowners upgrade their insulation and mechanical systems so their solar array can provide all the power they need. It looks like something we could do.” “OK, I can see how that would be a good idea for the planet since we’d be completely free of fossil fuels, but does it make sense for us financially?” asks Barb. Ken replies: “I’m not sure yet, and it probably depends on how much we spend on the upgrade, but I read an article from one person who did it and found that it paid a better return than his 401k. He also liked the fact that the return was more predictable and the investment was going into his home.” (1) Read more
Congratulations to LSC Members Honored at the 2020 Renewable Energy Summit
/in Events, News /by Peter FialaJackie Harrison-Jewell, 2/26/20
Congratulations to LSC Members Honored at the 2020 Renewable Energy Summit Renewable Energy Summit, presented by RENEW Wisconsin, is a one-day event that brings together people who work in, or are interested in the growth and success of renewable energy in Wisconsin, from policy makers to vendors, educators and concerned citizens. This year’s event was held on Thursday, January 16th and Legacy Solar Co-op was proud to be there.
We would like to congratulate several of our members who were recognized during the summit. Read more
Unique Membership Drive Helps LSC Meet 2019 Membership Goals
/in News /by Peter FialaBy Jackie Harrison-Jewell, 2/26/20
People join Legacy Solar Co-op for different reasons, and we’re happy to welcome everyone, from those who just want to be a member to those who join so they can buy bonds, support a particular project or actively participate in some other way. We really love it when our members are so excited about our mission here at Legacy that they come up with their own ideas about how to help.
For example, when John Stolzenberg joined LSC, right away he had an idea he wanted to try. John attends the First United Methodist Church in Madison, and every year they have an alternative gift fair each December weekend before Christmas. Read more
Happy Holidays from Legacy Solar Co-op
/in News /by Peter FialaLegacy Solar Co-op Team, 12/20/19
However you celebrate, we wish you well during this holiday season and year-end and we look forward to engaging with you next year!
And we also want to thank you. Whether you’ve recently become a member, purchased bonds or solar renewable energy credits (RECs) or are simply following our progress online, we thank you for your involvement! With our collective efforts, solar energy generates a green future for Wisconsin and pays back those who helped fund projects in the first place. If you’re interested in helping support the next round of projects, visit our projects update page, or contact us.