Let’s Keep Transitioning our Energy!
Converting our underlying power production from fossil fuels to renewables is one of the most important climate actions we can take part in, for the earth and for our community’s health and wellness. We work to educate the community on solar; together, let’s learn about the benefits of installing more solar on our homes, businesses, churches, and non-profits.
With significant developments, we have more and better solar options than we had 5 and 10 years ago. (1) The cost of solar panels and parts has lowered, and (2) the Inflation Reduction Act, with 30% tax credits / rebates, so the effective cost for new solar has come down dramatically. Solar power now compares favorably with older fuel-burning energies, allowing more of us to invest in the cleaner energy transition we know we need.
SOLAR OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Distributed Large-scale Solar Power (5+ MW). This transition is happening at different rates, depending on the state and utility. Let’s keep communicating and supporting our utilities to make this change, by installing more renewable as coal power plants are retired. Currently the two utilities in Door County have a small and growing amount of solar, as part of their overall energy mix (as of 2023, WPS is 17% renewable, and Sturgeon Bay Utility / WPPI is 24% renewable).
Community Solar (250 kW - 1.5 MW). A number of utilities in Wisconsin communities (Manitowoc, River Falls, New Richmond, Madison, and more), have allowed their customers to individually invest in a portion of new solar installations, and receive their proportional amount of the solar energy. This option offers the opportunity for all those who can’t install solar on their own, due to (1) the higher upfront cost, (2) the fact that they are renting, or (3) the fact that their roof / land / trees are not optimal for solar panels. With the help and leadership of utilities, communities continue to make these investments. And we can help this happen by expressing our interest to opt into Community Solar in our respective areas.
Individual Solar (5 - 250 kW). This is the most direct way to directly effect the amount of upstream coal and natural gas that you are responsible for. 100 or so individuals, businesses, and non-profits have independently decided to invest in solar on their land and roofs, for the environmental and sustainability benefit. See below 4 different solar installers who have helped Door County residents and leaders transition to solar, along with some pictures, showing the range of design options.
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Community Solar Forum, October 2024
We CCCDC, along with presenting partner Sturgeon Bay Utility (SBU) hosted a Community Solar educational event, to explain the current state of solar in the region and county, in order to discuss, gage interest, and solicit feedback, questions and suggestions. We were happy to host over 60 residents and business, non-profit, and community leaders expressing their interest and support. Please continue to express your thoughts and feedback as we pursue Community Solar, as well as Large Distributed Solar and Individual Solar (email us please).
See a copy of the presentation slides here.
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Let’s get Started!
To see if solar power works for you, we recommend you reach out to one of our local, helpful, knowledgable solar installers.
Appleton Solar
Ingrid & Patrick Nahm
(920) 470-6393
Eland Electric
Jesse Michalski
www.elandelectric.com/service/solar/
(920) 338-6000 x105
Lake Michigan Wind & Sun
John Hippensteel
920-743-0456
Faith Technologies
https://www.faithtechinc.com/divisions/faith-technologies/
888-556-9055
These local solar installers will ask you (1) what your solar electrification goals are, (2) what your current and planned electric power use is (including asking for your power utility bills), and (3) where exactly you live, so they can look at a satellite view of your building and land to assess solar array location options. They will have a discussion with you about this info and will provide a free cost estimate and a projected installation time, to help you evaluate if solar is a good fit.
There are so many great ways to implement and install solar specific to your electrical needs and your site conditions. Below are just a couple of the successful solar installations throughout the County, including homes, businesses, and nonprofits.
Solar Education, Winter 2023
We teamed up with Eland Electric on two education + group buy opportunities in spring of 2023. To view the presentation and group discussion on Door County Solar and how to get started, please see our CCCDC YouTube video recording here.
We collaborated with our friends at Bjorklunden for the first annual Door County Solar Celebration in the summer of 2023, as they consecrated their 217kW solar array and their ambitious Net-Zero Initiative. Below is information from the event and the presentation material, to educate and help inspire. A BIG THANKS to Public Service Commission commissioner Tyler Huebner for presenting on Wisconsin solar policy and potential next-step actions to keep moving forward (Click here, or on the graph for the presentation).
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Thanks for inquiring. Please let us know (at jeff@lnrp.org) if you have questions or would like a reference to someone who has done a similar solar installation in the community.
Onward!
Presentation by Tyler Huebner of the WI PSC