Solar group buy programs are fueling Wisconsin residents’ ability to have their own solar systems. More than the reduced price on purchase and installation, these programs provide support from experts and neighbors throughout the process, from assessing a roof’s solar potential to navigating the paperwork of purchasing and installing a solar system. These successful programs are part of the US Department of Energy’s SunShot initiative to make solar energy cost competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade (see Resources, Solarize).
In Wisconsin, more than 100 people will install solar systems through four solar group buy programs in the second half of 2016. While many properties are not suitable for a solar system due to roof orientation, shading and other factors, there are other options for Wisconsin residents and businesses to make a clean energy choice. This newsletter reports on several of those options from community solar and buying green power to electric vehicle purchase. Just a reminder -an underlying factor for the ultimate success of moving to a clean energy society is energy efficiency and the negawatt. So plant a tree to shade your windows early this fall.
Sherrie Gruder