by jboullion | Apr 17, 2009 | Uncategorized
From RENEW Wisconsin’s Michael Vickerman:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory today released its annual assessment of leading utility renewable energy subscription programs across the nation. Several programs offered by Wisconsin utilities finished in the Top 10 in four categories of performance. Deserving of kudos are We Energies, Madison Gas & Electric and two municipal utilities–River Falls and Lake Mills–served by WPPI Energy. Congratulations on a fine performance last year!
Individual program rankings are as follows:
* We Energies’ Energy for Tomorrow program came in 8th in total renewable energy sales and 10th in total number of customer participants.
* Madison Gas & Electric’s Green Power Tomorrow program posted the 4th highest customer participation rate and ranked 6th in terms of program sales as a percentage of overall retail electricity sales.
* The River Falls municipal utility posted the 9th highest customer participation rate and ranked 3rd in terms of program sales as a percentage of overall retail electricity sales.
* The Lake Mills municipal utility posted the 10th highest customer participation rate.
Though NREL does not keep track of solar capacity that were supported by renewable energy subscribers, it’s worth mentioning that from 2006 to 2008 We Energies leveraged the installation of 1 MW of customer-owned solar capacity through its Energy for Tomorrow program. Alliant and MGE also offers a 25 cent/kWh solar rate that is also supported by program subscribers.
For more information about NREL’s 2008 assessment, go to: http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2009/679.html
by jboullion | Apr 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a fact sheet pubilshed by Focus on Energy:
Pole-mounted solar electric systems offer an excellent opportunity for businesses to display a commitment to renewable energy. Also called solar flags, these systems are economical because they tend to be small. Today, solar flags are seen outside business establishments, in parking lots and in city parks. Not only do solar flags generate electricity, they also promote clean energy technology in a highly visible way.
When most people think of solar panels, they think of roof-mounted systems. However, roof-mounted systems are often hidden from view, partially shaded by trees, or not facing the best direction to capture solar energy. Solar flags can be installed in highly visible locations and positioned optimally to capture sunlight. Installing a solar flag does not involve attaching anything to your building, and the occasional maintenance requirements will not include a trip to the roof. Also, unlike roofmounted systems, pole-mounted solar flags do not need to be removed and reinstalled when the roof is replaced.
Solar electric flags can offer great economics and a relatively low cost. They are available in different sizes and prices (see Table 1). Costs tend to be significantly lower for business owners who pay federal taxes. If your electric utility offers a solar buyback rate, your solar flag can pay for itself in less than ten years. What’s more, some utilities offer additional incentives to nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
by jboullion | Apr 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a story by Colby Robertson on WAOW-TV:
CUSTER (WAOW) — Wisconsin Lawmakers are discussing a bill that would increase wind production and jobs throughout the state.
The bill would determine where wind power projects in Wisconsin could be built.
Currently, smaller wind projects are regulated by municipal or local rules, making it difficult to develop small and medium sized wind farms.
A spokesperson for the environmental group Clean Wisconsin says this bill is an easy way for lawmakers to create jobs in our state at almost no expense to the taxpayer.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, Wisconsin is 15th in the Country when it comes to installing wind projects, but some local wind experts hope this legislation will push Wisconsin to the top.
Supporters say this bill would not only change the wind industry, but it could bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to the area.
RENEW Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Farmers Union, along with Clean Wisconsin, launched a campaign in December of 2008 to support the proposal and other renewable energy initiatives.
by jboullion | Apr 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article in The Capital Times:
A high speed rail project that includes Madison is in President Obama’s strategic plan of a “top 10” list of rail projects that have been identified to jump-start a potential world-class passenger rail system in America.
The president released his strategic plan for high speed rail Thursday morning — a plan that would spend $8 billion in stimulus funds and another $1 billion a year for five years as a down payment to revitalizing the country’s passenger rail system.
The 10 corridors identified in the plan include the Chicago Hub Network, which would link Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Minneapolis/St. Paul, and also would have high-speed lines serving St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Louisville.
by jboullion | Apr 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a fact sheet published by Focus on Energy:
Rising energy costs and concern for energy security and the environment are driving forces in a growing trend to incorporate renewable energy technology into residential housing. Focus on Energy and the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® Homes Program recognize this as an opportunity for builders. The following checklist of building details is a first step to promote and market the construction of new homes that are built “ready” for future renewable energy installations.
PLANNING AHEAD IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO
To maximize the potential benefit of any future solar renewable energy system, the following should be considered when planning and building a home.
1. Reduce loads
Reduce or minimize energy loads where possible through the home’s heating, cooling, water heating and electrical systems. At a minimum the home should satisfy the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Program building performance standards and, where possible, incorporate ENERGY STAR qualified lighting, appliances and HVAC systems.
2. Maximize solar access
To maximize solar access, face the roof surface and pitch within 30 degrees of due south. The roof should be unobstructed from both the winter and summer sun and have a slope of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. For more information on solar access, see the Passive Solar Design fact sheet or contact the Focus on Energy Renewable Energy Program at 800.762.7077 for solar site assessment information.
3. Follow zoning laws and applicable codes
Wisconsin State law does not allow zoning or covenants that restrict the use of a solar energy system except for reasons of health and safety. Also investigate applicable Uniform Dwelling Code and the National Electric Code as they pertain to any pre-installation requirements.
by jboullion | Apr 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a fact sheet pubilshed by Focus on Energy:
Pole-mounted solar electric systems offer an excellent opportunity for businesses to display a commitment to renewable energy. Also called solar flags, these systems are economical because they tend to be small. Today, solar flags are seen outside business establishments, in parking lots and in city parks. Not only do solar flags generate electricity, they also promote clean energy technology in a highly visible way.
When most people think of solar panels, they think of roof-mounted systems. However, roof-mounted systems are often hidden from view, partially shaded by trees, or not facing the best direction to capture solar energy. Solar flags can be installed in highly visible locations and positioned optimally to capture sunlight. Installing a solar flag does not involve attaching anything to your building, and the occasional maintenance requirements will not include a trip to the roof. Also, unlike roofmounted systems, pole-mounted solar flags do not need to be removed and reinstalled when the roof is replaced.
Solar electric flags can offer great economics and a relatively low cost. They are available in different sizes and prices (see Table 1). Costs tend to be significantly lower for business owners who pay federal taxes. If your electric utility offers a solar buyback rate, your solar flag can pay for itself in less than ten years. What’s more, some utilities offer additional incentives to nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
by jboullion | Apr 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Ixonia – Zero is the latest buzzword for green building – as in houses that generate as much power as they use. Although going green often is seen as more expensive than conventional construction, some homebuilders are trying to change that. Instead of granite countertops and fancy playrooms, the homes have solar panels and heat pumps.
Tom and Verona Chambers of Black River Falls recently moved into a new home that includes solar panels on the roof, a ground source heat pump and a gizmo that reuses shower water to preheat water coming in from the city.
“We don’t have a gas line into the house – zero cost for gas. We have an electric line, but the goal is to produce as much as we use so we don’t have any electric bill,” Tom Chambers said.
There’s a higher upfront cost to having a completely green home. But federal tax credits and grants from the energy conservation group Focus on Energy and a local utility, WPPI Energy, helped bring down that extra cost.
“The other side of the coin is the ongoing utility costs that we will not have,” Chambers said.
Closer to Milwaukee, developer Mark Neumann wants to take zero-energy construction a step further.
After touring a green home last summer, Neumann and his son began designing a house that would go beyond zero-energy.
The result: a home now under construction in Ixonia that will produce all the energy that would be consumed in the house – as well as the electricity that a plug-in hybrid vehicle would need for a daily commute.
by jboullion | Apr 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
No one should consider the radar problems posed by a Dodge County wind farm as a reason to slow the push for more wind-generated power in Wisconsin. While the issue needs to be explored, it isn’t significant enough to warrant slowing down the move toward more renewable energy.
The state needs more wind farms and other renewable sources if it’s going to move away from fossil fuels that help contribute to pollution and climate change.
According to the National Weather Service, the wind farm’s turbines are sending false storm signals to the government’s weather radar system. Weather service officials say they see no significant public safety threat, although they say the wind farm could confuse some storm watchers.
Meteorologist Marc Kavinsky told the Journal Sentinel’s Scott Williams that the approaching summer storm season will be the federal agency’s first opportunity to gauge the wind farm’s full impact.
Just outside the Dodge County community of Iron Ridge, the wind farm includes 36 turbines that began operating over the past few months, generating electricity for several surrounding communities.
A spokesman for the owner of the wind farm, Babcock and Brown Ltd., said the company has not encountered a similar problem with any of its other 24 wind farms operating throughout the country.
by jboullion | Apr 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Meredith Thorn in the Stevens Point Journal:
It looks like a large black box clinging to the side of the new airport hangar, but it is really a one-of-a-kind energy savings tool for the Stevens Point Municipal Airport.
The wall collects the sun’s heat and fills with warmth. The warmed air then is pulled into the hangar, said Joe Wheeler, the airport manager.
Because it’s so new, the actual energy savings have yet to be calculated. But, Wheeler said, in two months, savings have been “pretty significant.”
“Utilities on the hangar (are) going to be very cheap,” Wheeler said.
The hangar will be a “community” hangar, meaning pilots can rent an unspecified hangar space in the building, and airport employees will take care of the rest, Wheeler said. Rental rates have yet to be determined for the hangar, which can fit eight single-engine planes.
Wheeler didn’t say how much the project cost, but said the wall was completed by Sunny Solutions, a Berlin, Wis.-based company.
It’s the first solar transpired wall in Wisconsin, said Stevens Point Mayor Andrew Halverson.
“We want to be a leader in sustainability issues,” he said, and the project was a way for the city to put “its money where its mouth is” on energy-saving and environmentally friendly projects.
by jboullion | Apr 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a post on Tom Content’s blog on JSOnline:
A bill to create uniform siting standards for wind power projects across Wisconsin is being introduced again after stalling a year ago.
Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee), chair of the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee, is circulating a bill that would call on the state Public Service Commission to develop uniform siting standards for wind power projects across the state.
Wisconsin state law requires large wind power proposals to be reviewed and approved by the state Public Service Commission, but leaves smaller projects in the hands of local governments.
Several counties and communities around the state have enacted ordinances that amount to bans on wind power, however. His bill would call on the state Public Service Commission to engage with counties, towns, utilities and others on developing a comprehensive set of standards that wind projects would have to follow.
“We made it a priority in this state to harness wind, and if we’re going to do that we can’t have one township or one village dictating energy policy for the rest of the state,” Plale said. “We have to have a comprehensive look at it. That’s what we’re getting at.”
Plale said the bill is expected to fare better this year because it is being handled earlier in the legislative session and there is less confusion about what the bill would do.
