From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
When you install ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) there are financial and energy savings to be realized; however, there are a few misconceptions about CFLs that have kept some homeowners on the fence. Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, is tackling those myths in an effort to educate Wisconsin residents and help them switch to CFLs. Starting Oct. 1, 2010, and for a limited time, Focus on Energy is offering CFLs for a discounted price at participating retail locations throughout the state.
"We are thrilled with the number of residents throughout Wisconsin who have reduced their energy use and utility bills by installing ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs, but there are still many who have not made the switch," said Linda Mae Schmitt, program manager for Focus on Energy. "It's my hope that by exposing common misconceptions about CFLs, we can encourage more people to take advantage of the many benefits of energy-efficient lighting. And now is the perfect time get on board. Why wouldn't you want to save money while also helping Wisconsin's environment?"
The release goes on to present the facts about the following myths:
Myth #1: CFLs are expensive.
Myth #2: CFLs won't fit in my fixtures.
Myth #3: CFLs are hazardous.
Myth #4: CFLs are hard to find.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Open house of solar homes and businesses, Oct. 2
Visit homes and businesses around the state to see renewable energy up close. In addition to showcasing solar and wind power, houses will feature energy efficiency, green building techniques, and sustainable living ideas. Speak with home and business owners and find out how renewable energy works for them. Self selected driving tours will be available throughout the state.
Tours are FREE and open to the public between 10 am and 4 pm. To view the locations and details of the sites in your area, go to http://www.the-mrea.org/solartour.php.
The Wisconsin solar tours are part of the National Solar Tours of the American Solar Energy Society that are happening in states across the country on the same day.
Tours are FREE and open to the public between 10 am and 4 pm. To view the locations and details of the sites in your area, go to http://www.the-mrea.org/solartour.php.
The Wisconsin solar tours are part of the National Solar Tours of the American Solar Energy Society that are happening in states across the country on the same day.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Efficiency efforts a good investment
From an editorial in the Green Bay Press Gazette:
Some 20 area homeowners already are taking advantage of a home energy audit program that is a win-win for residents, businesses and the city of Green Bay.
It's a solid start for the grant-funded program after Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt introduced it slightly more than a week ago. Officials hope 1,000 city homeowners will sign up for the Home Energy Audit Rebate program, which offers up to $200 in rebates for residents who comply with certain requirements.
Residents who hire a certified contractor to conduct a home-energy audit — generally at a cost of $300 to $350 — can qualify for a $100 rebate through the program. If homeowners implement at least two of the audit's recommendations within six months, they can earn an additional $100 rebate from the city.
The audit program, funded through a $1 million grant as part of the federal stimulus, is designed to create jobs in home improvement industries by giving homeowners incentives to make upgrades. Grant awards were made based on city populations, and go directly from the federal government to local governments, Schmitt said Thursday.
Many municipalities are using the funds to complete energy upgrades for municipal buildings, traffic lights and in other areas — in many cases, improvements Green Bay already has made, Schmitt said. So city officials decided to focus on savings for the homeowner.
Some 20 area homeowners already are taking advantage of a home energy audit program that is a win-win for residents, businesses and the city of Green Bay.
It's a solid start for the grant-funded program after Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt introduced it slightly more than a week ago. Officials hope 1,000 city homeowners will sign up for the Home Energy Audit Rebate program, which offers up to $200 in rebates for residents who comply with certain requirements.
Residents who hire a certified contractor to conduct a home-energy audit — generally at a cost of $300 to $350 — can qualify for a $100 rebate through the program. If homeowners implement at least two of the audit's recommendations within six months, they can earn an additional $100 rebate from the city.
The audit program, funded through a $1 million grant as part of the federal stimulus, is designed to create jobs in home improvement industries by giving homeowners incentives to make upgrades. Grant awards were made based on city populations, and go directly from the federal government to local governments, Schmitt said Thursday.
Many municipalities are using the funds to complete energy upgrades for municipal buildings, traffic lights and in other areas — in many cases, improvements Green Bay already has made, Schmitt said. So city officials decided to focus on savings for the homeowner.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wastewater plant will produce more electricity with upgrade
From an article by Bob Petrie in the Sheboygan Press:
It took a giant crane and a giant tug and about an hour longer than expected, but the job of lifting the huge lid off a huge anaerobic digester at the Sheboygan Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant was finally completed Wednesday morning.
Now comes the next step: clean, sandblast, paint and rehabilitate the 750,000-gallon digester so it can produce more methane gas, which will be used to help generate gas and electricity to provide nearly all the heat and power needed to operate the treatment plant at 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
The $4.5 million project to upgrade the plant also includes installing two, 200-kilowatt Capstone microturbines, which will boost the on-site electrical generation capacity from 225 kilowatts to about 525 kilowatts per hour, enough to take care of between 90 and 100 percent of the electricity needed to run the plant. The two new turbines bring the total number at the plant to 12.
The job of the digester is to take the sludge created at the plant, churn it up to create the methane and send the biogas to run the turbines.
Exhaust from running the turbines will be used to heat water, the buildings and the digesters at the plant.
"I guess from the standpoint of sustainability, it's something about doing the right thing," said Dale Doerr, Sheboygan wastewater superintendent. "This isn't costing us a lot of money, when you look at we had to do some of these things anyhow."
It took a giant crane and a giant tug and about an hour longer than expected, but the job of lifting the huge lid off a huge anaerobic digester at the Sheboygan Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant was finally completed Wednesday morning.
Now comes the next step: clean, sandblast, paint and rehabilitate the 750,000-gallon digester so it can produce more methane gas, which will be used to help generate gas and electricity to provide nearly all the heat and power needed to operate the treatment plant at 3333 Lakeshore Drive.
The $4.5 million project to upgrade the plant also includes installing two, 200-kilowatt Capstone microturbines, which will boost the on-site electrical generation capacity from 225 kilowatts to about 525 kilowatts per hour, enough to take care of between 90 and 100 percent of the electricity needed to run the plant. The two new turbines bring the total number at the plant to 12.
The job of the digester is to take the sludge created at the plant, churn it up to create the methane and send the biogas to run the turbines.
Exhaust from running the turbines will be used to heat water, the buildings and the digesters at the plant.
"I guess from the standpoint of sustainability, it's something about doing the right thing," said Dale Doerr, Sheboygan wastewater superintendent. "This isn't costing us a lot of money, when you look at we had to do some of these things anyhow."
Green Home Building/Remodeling, Oct. 7
ECOS-FV hosts VHBA Green Building Presentation October 7th
The October 7th meeting of ECOS-FV will feature VHBA member Cindi MacSwain, of Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning as she presents Green Building practices and issues from the builder’s point of view.
Her presentation will:
• Describe community local ordinances supportive of good green building practices as seen by the home building and re-conditioning businesses of the Valley Home Builders Association (VHBA).
• Convey what are seen as the financial road-blocks to encouraging green home improvements.
• Provide information on green building certification programs, the building blocks of green building and examples of green residential projects here in the Fox Valley area.
October 7th Green Home Building/Remodeling
VHBA member Cindi MacSwain, Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning
6:30 to 8:00 PM
Menasha Public Library, Company E Room
Free and Open to the Public
This meeting will be a great opportunity for an exchange of ideas on how cities, businesses and citizens can “work jointly” to encourage wider community home improvement across the Fox Valley. The association will have a number of members here to help answer the audience questions.
Please plan to attend and encourage others that work with these community development issues to attend as well! We want to get this meeting on the appointment calendars of key area leaders as far in advance of the meeting as we can.
Attention: Community Sustainability and City Development/Finance Leaders!
As this is a rather special presentation, it would be great to know who will be attending so that we can be sure that we have conveyed this information to as many of the communities in the Valley possible. While not required, we would appreciate a quick RSVP to us by return e-mail at ecos.foxvalley@gmail.com so that we can ensure we are reaching as many different communities in the area as possible.
If you have questions about this event, please call Roger or Connie 722-6438.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Proposed Door County biogas plant offers green energy solution
From an article by Ramelle Bintz in the Door County Advocate:
The prospect of a new miniature power plant supplying electricity for 400 homes in Door County also lit up the imaginations of Sturgeon Bay Plan Commission members Wednesday.
Owners of Efrim Industries LLC previewed how waste products could be processed at a dairy farm or other waste site and brought to the former Door County Highway Department shop at 916 N. 14th Ave. for conversion into electricity.
Efrim proposes to lease or purchase the vacant 30,000-square-foot industrial building from the county and retrofit it for non-toxic fuel storage, a biomass fuel feeding system, a "gasifier," steam turbine and baghouse.
The presentation sparked several questions about what type of waste can be recycled in Sturgeon Bay and why the company chose Door County to launch their new prototype. Owners said they also want to convert the facility to use as corporate headquarters, showcase the model here and market it worldwide.
The large farms in nearby Kewaunee and Brown counties, as well as those of Door County are a major reason Efrim Industries was attracted to the area, co-founder and president Raphael Fink told commissioners.
"The recent downturn in the shipbuilding trade has left Door County with many skilled and highly trained people available to construct and operate the Sturgeon Bay facility," Fink said. "The state of Wisconsin and the federal government are providing many financial incentives for businesses willing to establish themselves and create jobs in Sturgeon Bay. The port of Sturgeon Bay also allows easy access to Lake Michigan."
Door County Economic Development Corp. Director Bill Chaudoir and city Community Development Director Marty Olejniczak have been working behind the scenes with the firm and were also at Wednesday's meeting. Efrim also has been in negotiations with the county government, which owns the site that has been vacant several years.
The prospect of a new miniature power plant supplying electricity for 400 homes in Door County also lit up the imaginations of Sturgeon Bay Plan Commission members Wednesday.
Owners of Efrim Industries LLC previewed how waste products could be processed at a dairy farm or other waste site and brought to the former Door County Highway Department shop at 916 N. 14th Ave. for conversion into electricity.
Efrim proposes to lease or purchase the vacant 30,000-square-foot industrial building from the county and retrofit it for non-toxic fuel storage, a biomass fuel feeding system, a "gasifier," steam turbine and baghouse.
The presentation sparked several questions about what type of waste can be recycled in Sturgeon Bay and why the company chose Door County to launch their new prototype. Owners said they also want to convert the facility to use as corporate headquarters, showcase the model here and market it worldwide.
The large farms in nearby Kewaunee and Brown counties, as well as those of Door County are a major reason Efrim Industries was attracted to the area, co-founder and president Raphael Fink told commissioners.
"The recent downturn in the shipbuilding trade has left Door County with many skilled and highly trained people available to construct and operate the Sturgeon Bay facility," Fink said. "The state of Wisconsin and the federal government are providing many financial incentives for businesses willing to establish themselves and create jobs in Sturgeon Bay. The port of Sturgeon Bay also allows easy access to Lake Michigan."
Door County Economic Development Corp. Director Bill Chaudoir and city Community Development Director Marty Olejniczak have been working behind the scenes with the firm and were also at Wednesday's meeting. Efrim also has been in negotiations with the county government, which owns the site that has been vacant several years.
Friday, September 17, 2010
PSC sets public hearing in DePere on WPS rate increase request, Sept. 21
From a news release issued by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin:
MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) will hold public hearings on Tuesday, September 21 at locations in DePere, Wausau and Madison on Wisconsin Public Service Corporation’s (WPSC) request to adjust its electric and natural gas rates. WPSC has requested to increase their electric rates by 6.9 percent and natural gas rates by 1.20 percent.
When a utility requests a change in rates, the Commission conducts a thorough audit of the utility’s expenses and revenues. The agency will look at the amount WPSC needs to provide a reliable source of energy to customers, which includes costs of fuel, maintenance, new construction and environmental protection.
Public comments on WPSC’s application will be included in the record the Commission will review to make a decision. The Commission has the authority to approve, deny or modify the application.
Citizens are encouraged to attend the hearings, which will be broadcast live simultaneously from three locations at the following times:
Tuesday, September 21
3:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
St. Norbert College Campus
F.K. Bemis International Center
100 Grant Street, Room 114AB
DePere, WI UW-Marathon County
MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) will hold public hearings on Tuesday, September 21 at locations in DePere, Wausau and Madison on Wisconsin Public Service Corporation’s (WPSC) request to adjust its electric and natural gas rates. WPSC has requested to increase their electric rates by 6.9 percent and natural gas rates by 1.20 percent.
When a utility requests a change in rates, the Commission conducts a thorough audit of the utility’s expenses and revenues. The agency will look at the amount WPSC needs to provide a reliable source of energy to customers, which includes costs of fuel, maintenance, new construction and environmental protection.
Public comments on WPSC’s application will be included in the record the Commission will review to make a decision. The Commission has the authority to approve, deny or modify the application.
Citizens are encouraged to attend the hearings, which will be broadcast live simultaneously from three locations at the following times:
Tuesday, September 21
3:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
St. Norbert College Campus
F.K. Bemis International Center
100 Grant Street, Room 114AB
DePere, WI UW-Marathon County
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
UW-Oshkosh works to modernize facilities with renewable energy
From an article by Doug Zellmer in the Appleton Post-Crescent:
Work is expected to start soon on a $32 million suite-style residence hall, and the new $40 million academic building started about a year ago should be completed by next summer.
Also, a groundbreaking ceremony will take place Wednesday for the nation's first commercial-scale dry fermentation anaerobic biodigester.
"We're very excited. What we're trying to provide is the right kind of facilities for staff, students and the community," said Tom Sonnleitner, vice chancellor for administrative services at UWO. . . .
The suite-style residence hall will have a geothermal heating and cooling field that will provide 50 percent of the building's
heat. . . .
It is expected to save the school an estimated $182,000 a year in energy costs. A thin layer of indigenous drought resistant plant species will be placed on a portion of the new academic building roof to absorb heat and control stormwater runoff. Solar heat panels will heat water in the building. . . .
Officials from UWO reported the renewable energy facility (biodigester) located on Dempsey Trail adjacent to the Campus Services Center, will include heat and power generators, which will produce up to 10 percent of the campus's electricity and heat. The majority of the 8,000 tons of organic biodegradable waste needed per year will be produced by campus and community sources.
Work is expected to start soon on a $32 million suite-style residence hall, and the new $40 million academic building started about a year ago should be completed by next summer.
Also, a groundbreaking ceremony will take place Wednesday for the nation's first commercial-scale dry fermentation anaerobic biodigester.
"We're very excited. What we're trying to provide is the right kind of facilities for staff, students and the community," said Tom Sonnleitner, vice chancellor for administrative services at UWO. . . .
The suite-style residence hall will have a geothermal heating and cooling field that will provide 50 percent of the building's
heat. . . .
It is expected to save the school an estimated $182,000 a year in energy costs. A thin layer of indigenous drought resistant plant species will be placed on a portion of the new academic building roof to absorb heat and control stormwater runoff. Solar heat panels will heat water in the building. . . .
Officials from UWO reported the renewable energy facility (biodigester) located on Dempsey Trail adjacent to the Campus Services Center, will include heat and power generators, which will produce up to 10 percent of the campus's electricity and heat. The majority of the 8,000 tons of organic biodegradable waste needed per year will be produced by campus and community sources.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Solar hot water goes up at Lakeshore Technical College
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wind generation reduces climate-changing emissions
From a report titled "The Facts about Wind Energy’s Emissions Savings" prepared by the American Wind Energy Association:
. . . four of the seven major independent grid operators in the
U.S. have studied the emissions impact of adding wind energy to their power grids, and all four have found that adding wind energy drastically reduces emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants. While the emissions savings depend somewhat on the existing share of coal-fired versus gas-fired generation in the region, as one would expect, it is impossible to dispute the findings of these four independent grid operators that adding wind energy to their grids has significantly reduced emissions. . . .
DOE data show that wind and other renewables’ share of Texas’s
electric mix increased from 1.3% in 2005 to 4.4% in 2008, an increase in share of 3.1 percentage points. During that period, electric sector carbon dioxide emissions declined by 3.3%, even though electricity use actually increased by 2% during that time. Because of wind energy, the state of Texas was able to turn what would have been a carbon emissions increase into a decrease of 8,690,000 metric tons per year, equal to the emissions savings of taking around 1.5 million cars off the road.
. . . four of the seven major independent grid operators in the
U.S. have studied the emissions impact of adding wind energy to their power grids, and all four have found that adding wind energy drastically reduces emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants. While the emissions savings depend somewhat on the existing share of coal-fired versus gas-fired generation in the region, as one would expect, it is impossible to dispute the findings of these four independent grid operators that adding wind energy to their grids has significantly reduced emissions. . . .
DOE data show that wind and other renewables’ share of Texas’s
electric mix increased from 1.3% in 2005 to 4.4% in 2008, an increase in share of 3.1 percentage points. During that period, electric sector carbon dioxide emissions declined by 3.3%, even though electricity use actually increased by 2% during that time. Because of wind energy, the state of Texas was able to turn what would have been a carbon emissions increase into a decrease of 8,690,000 metric tons per year, equal to the emissions savings of taking around 1.5 million cars off the road.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Newsletter: Siting council, Cashton wind, Cascade wind, and more
RENEW Wisconisn's summer newsletter includes these articles:
Council Backs Compromise on Siting Standards
After four months of intensive review and debate, the 15-member Wind Siting Council presented to the Public Service Commission (PSC) its final recommendations on the statewide permitting rule under development. The Council’s report comes at a critical juncture; the PSC will issue a fi nal rule on this proceeding before the end of August.
Community Wind on Move in Cashton
What may become Wisconsin’s first example of a Community Wind project cleared a significant hurdle in June when the Village of Cashton in Monroe County issued a permit to allow the construction of two Vestas V90 turbines, totaling 3.6 megawatts (MW), inside its business park.
Seventh Generation Pioneers Wind
Unusual from its start as a not-for- profit in the business of renewable energy, Seventh Generation Energy Systems (commonly called Seventh Gen) continues to pioneer organizationally and technically with the addition of Jim Yockey, executive director, and Ry Thompson, project manager. Alicia Leinberger, one of the founders of Seventh Gen, oversees marketing and business development for the eight-year-old organization.
Making Sense of the Gulf Disaster
About 100 people gathered in downtown Madison in early July to take part in “Hands Across the hands,” an internationally organized protest against continued oil drilling in and along the world’s coastal waters. Against the backdrop of the weed-choked waters of Lake Monona, they joined hands for 15 minutes to express their fervent desire to see a cleaner, less destructive energy future emerge from the liquid melanoma spreading across the Gulf of Mexico.
No doubt the protestors would like to do more, much more, than simply engage in a ritualized protest in front of a few camera crews. But we live in a society that is organized around the expectation of a limitless supply of nonrenewable hydrocarbons feeding concentrated energy into our economic bloodstream. Most of us have not bothered to comprehend the yawning gulf that lies between our best intentions and our abject dependence on the wealth-producing properties of petroleum.
Turbines Power Cascade Wastewater
With the start-up of two 100-kilowatt (kW) wind turbines, the Village of Cascade became the first Wisconsin community to power its municipal wastewater treatment plant with 100 percent locally produced wind energy.
The impetus behind Cascade’s embrace of wind power was the avoided utility expenditures associated with operating a wastewater treatment plant. In the first year of operation, Cascade
stands to save $30,000.
Calendar
Sept. 29 -- Solar Decade Conference, Milwaukee, WI. A comprehensive solar energy educational opportunity for your home, business, and career. Sponsored by Focus on Energy, We Energies, and others. For details see www.solardecade.com.
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 -- 2010Solar Thermal ‘10, Milwaukee, WI. A national solar heating and cooling conference and expo for solar thermal professionals. For details see www.the-mrea.org.
October 2, 2010 -- Solar Tour of Homes and Businesses. All across Wisconsin. Owners open their doors to let people see how renewable energy is practical, reliable, and affordable in today’s economy. The homes and businesses often include other energy efficiency and renewable technologies. For details see www.the-mrea.org.
October 13, 2010 -- Wisconsin Wind Energy Supply Chain Workshop, Milwaukee, WI. Learn how to join the wind energy supply chain from fi rst tier and aftermarket manufacturers. For details see www.thenewnorth.com.
Mar. 9 - 12, 2011 -- Green Energy Summit: The Green Frontier, Milwaukee, WI. An acclaimed professional/academic conference featuring keynote speakers, workshops, demonstrations, and exhibits. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation and others. For details see www.greenenergysummit.us.
Council Backs Compromise on Siting Standards
After four months of intensive review and debate, the 15-member Wind Siting Council presented to the Public Service Commission (PSC) its final recommendations on the statewide permitting rule under development. The Council’s report comes at a critical juncture; the PSC will issue a fi nal rule on this proceeding before the end of August.
Community Wind on Move in Cashton
What may become Wisconsin’s first example of a Community Wind project cleared a significant hurdle in June when the Village of Cashton in Monroe County issued a permit to allow the construction of two Vestas V90 turbines, totaling 3.6 megawatts (MW), inside its business park.
Seventh Generation Pioneers Wind
Unusual from its start as a not-for- profit in the business of renewable energy, Seventh Generation Energy Systems (commonly called Seventh Gen) continues to pioneer organizationally and technically with the addition of Jim Yockey, executive director, and Ry Thompson, project manager. Alicia Leinberger, one of the founders of Seventh Gen, oversees marketing and business development for the eight-year-old organization.
Making Sense of the Gulf Disaster
About 100 people gathered in downtown Madison in early July to take part in “Hands Across the hands,” an internationally organized protest against continued oil drilling in and along the world’s coastal waters. Against the backdrop of the weed-choked waters of Lake Monona, they joined hands for 15 minutes to express their fervent desire to see a cleaner, less destructive energy future emerge from the liquid melanoma spreading across the Gulf of Mexico.
No doubt the protestors would like to do more, much more, than simply engage in a ritualized protest in front of a few camera crews. But we live in a society that is organized around the expectation of a limitless supply of nonrenewable hydrocarbons feeding concentrated energy into our economic bloodstream. Most of us have not bothered to comprehend the yawning gulf that lies between our best intentions and our abject dependence on the wealth-producing properties of petroleum.
Turbines Power Cascade Wastewater
With the start-up of two 100-kilowatt (kW) wind turbines, the Village of Cascade became the first Wisconsin community to power its municipal wastewater treatment plant with 100 percent locally produced wind energy.
The impetus behind Cascade’s embrace of wind power was the avoided utility expenditures associated with operating a wastewater treatment plant. In the first year of operation, Cascade
stands to save $30,000.
Calendar
Sept. 29 -- Solar Decade Conference, Milwaukee, WI. A comprehensive solar energy educational opportunity for your home, business, and career. Sponsored by Focus on Energy, We Energies, and others. For details see www.solardecade.com.
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 -- 2010Solar Thermal ‘10, Milwaukee, WI. A national solar heating and cooling conference and expo for solar thermal professionals. For details see www.the-mrea.org.
October 2, 2010 -- Solar Tour of Homes and Businesses. All across Wisconsin. Owners open their doors to let people see how renewable energy is practical, reliable, and affordable in today’s economy. The homes and businesses often include other energy efficiency and renewable technologies. For details see www.the-mrea.org.
October 13, 2010 -- Wisconsin Wind Energy Supply Chain Workshop, Milwaukee, WI. Learn how to join the wind energy supply chain from fi rst tier and aftermarket manufacturers. For details see www.thenewnorth.com.
Mar. 9 - 12, 2011 -- Green Energy Summit: The Green Frontier, Milwaukee, WI. An acclaimed professional/academic conference featuring keynote speakers, workshops, demonstrations, and exhibits. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation and others. For details see www.greenenergysummit.us.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
UW Oshkosh is going solar
From an article by Jaime Hunt in The Northwestern, Oshkosh:
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is installing its first solar energy systems to provide the campus with electricity and hot water. This is the first wave of solar power installations that will soon be commonplace on the campus.
A photovoltaic array has been installed on a popular walkway adjacent to the campus tennis courts. The 2.9-kilowatt system slowly adjusts position to track the sun as it moves from east to west and as it rises and falls in the sky. The system was installed by Appleton Solar and funded as a State of Wisconsin Energy Conservation Project with support from Focus on Energy and Wisconsin Public Service.
Water will be heated by 120 solar panels being installed on the rooftops of four buildings to serve a wide range of needs. Blackhawk Commons will generate hot water for food service and dishwashers. Hot water for showers will be provided in Taylor Hall. Albee Hall solar collectors will heat an indoor swimming pool. The campus Heating Plant will pre-heat water used to generate steam and heat campus buildings. These solar systems will replace natural gas or coal-based heat.
The Solar Thermal Energy Systems are being installed and maintained by H&H Energy Services of Madison. Funding is through a State Solar Energy Agreement that allows the systems to be owned privately by Regenesis Power of California, who will then sell the heat to UW Oshkosh at a set cost. Focus on Energy is also providing financial incentives.
New construction and refurbishment projects at UW Oshkosh are planning to add more solar power in the future.
“University buildings have long lives, so it makes sense to build them with solar power upgrades in mind and to install the systems that are affordable today,” said Michael Lizotte, UW Oshkosh director of sustainability.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is installing its first solar energy systems to provide the campus with electricity and hot water. This is the first wave of solar power installations that will soon be commonplace on the campus.
A photovoltaic array has been installed on a popular walkway adjacent to the campus tennis courts. The 2.9-kilowatt system slowly adjusts position to track the sun as it moves from east to west and as it rises and falls in the sky. The system was installed by Appleton Solar and funded as a State of Wisconsin Energy Conservation Project with support from Focus on Energy and Wisconsin Public Service.
Water will be heated by 120 solar panels being installed on the rooftops of four buildings to serve a wide range of needs. Blackhawk Commons will generate hot water for food service and dishwashers. Hot water for showers will be provided in Taylor Hall. Albee Hall solar collectors will heat an indoor swimming pool. The campus Heating Plant will pre-heat water used to generate steam and heat campus buildings. These solar systems will replace natural gas or coal-based heat.
The Solar Thermal Energy Systems are being installed and maintained by H&H Energy Services of Madison. Funding is through a State Solar Energy Agreement that allows the systems to be owned privately by Regenesis Power of California, who will then sell the heat to UW Oshkosh at a set cost. Focus on Energy is also providing financial incentives.
New construction and refurbishment projects at UW Oshkosh are planning to add more solar power in the future.
“University buildings have long lives, so it makes sense to build them with solar power upgrades in mind and to install the systems that are affordable today,” said Michael Lizotte, UW Oshkosh director of sustainability.
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