by jboullion | Oct 3, 2008 | Uncategorized
Dozens of Milwaukee area and southeastern Wisconsin homes and businesses will be open for public tours during the state-side solar tour, October 3-4:
Dusty Acres, Adell, Sat
Dunham Farm, Burlington, Sat
Camp Dewan, Burlington, Fri
Sebern Home, Cedarburg, Sat
O’Leary Plumbing & Heating, East Troy, Fri
Arley Uhrig Home, East Troy, Sat
Fields Neighborhood, East Troy, Sat
Kochis Residence, Franklin, Sat
TDL Electronics, Franksville, Fri + Sat
Bantz/Gurzynski Residence, Hartford, Sat
Selestow Dome Home, Menomonee Falls, Sat
Krepel Residence, Milwaukee, Sat
Liberty Tax, Milwaukee, Fri
Amaranth Bakery & Cafe, Milwaukee, Fri
Coles Home, Milwaukee, Sat
Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee, Fri + Sat
Hot Water Products, Milwaukee, Fri
Sherman Perk, Milwaukee, Fri
Future Green, Milwaukee, Fri
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Milwaukee, Fri
Art of Dentistry Ltd, Milwaukee, Fri
AUR Solar, Milwaukee, Fri
Dominiak Home, Milwaukee, Sat
Hunter Home, Milwaukee, Sat
Hess Home, New Berlin, Sat
Power Control, New Berlin, Sat
Pinehold Gardens, Oak Creek, Fri
Pauc Home, Oak Creek, Sat
Delafield Solar Home, Pewaukee, Sat
Lagerman-Mann Residence, Plymouth, Sat
Eco-Justice Center, Racine, Fri + Sat
The Johnson Foundation, Racine, Fri
Mueller Home, Shorewood, Sat
Anderson Home, Slinger, Sat
Krall Home, Slinger, Sat
Rudolf Home, South Milwaukee, Sat
Teko Mechanical Inc., Waukesha, Fri
Toman Home, Waukesha, Sat
GE Healthcare, Waukesha, Fri
Johnson Home, Wauwatosa, Sat
Richter & Carsner Home, West Bend, Sat
Bruggink Residence, West Bend, Sat
Beine residence, West Bend, Sat
The tour demonstrates that renewable energy is practical, reliable and a realistic choice for home and business owners. Tour sites are owned, lived in, and worked in by ordinary people. They are helping others open the door to renewable energy.
Although it is officially called the Wisconsin Solar Tour, sites include all sorts of renewable energy technologies and other innovative features. On the Wisconsin Solar Tour you can see:
Wind and solar (PV) electric systems
Solar thermal and solar water heating systems
Green building construction and passive solar design
Energy efficient heating technologies
Energy efficient appliances
Environmentally friendly landscaping
And more!
by jboullion | Oct 2, 2008 | Uncategorized
Many solar-powered and energy-efficient businesses and homes around Wisconsin, including southwestern Wisconsin, will be open to the public during the Wisconsin Solar Tour on October 3 and 4.
The tour demonstrates that renewable energy is practical, reliable and a realistic choice for home and business owners. Tour sites are owned, lived in, and worked in by ordinary people. They are helping others open the door to renewable energy.
Although it is officially called the Wisconsin Solar Tour, sites include all sorts of renewable energy technologies and other innovative features. On the Wisconsin Solar Tour you can see:
Wind and solar (PV) electric systems
Solar thermal and solar water heating systems
Green building construction and passive solar design
Energy efficient heating technologies
Energy efficient appliances
Environmentally friendly landscaping
And more!
by jboullion | Oct 2, 2008 | Uncategorized
Many solar-powered and energy-efficient businesses and homes around Wisconsin, including western Wisconsin, will be open to the public during the Wisconsin Solar Tour on October 3 and 4.
The tour demonstrates that renewable energy is practical, reliable and a realistic choice for home and business owners. Tour sites are owned, lived in, and worked in by ordinary people. They are helping others open the door to renewable energy.
Although it is officially called the Wisconsin Solar Tour, sites include all sorts of renewable energy technologies and other innovative features. On the Wisconsin Solar Tour you can see:
Wind and solar (PV) electric systems
Solar thermal and solar water heating systems
Green building construction and passive solar design
Energy efficient heating technologies
Energy efficient appliances
Environmentally friendly landscaping
And more!
by jboullion | Oct 2, 2008 | Uncategorized
From Focus on Energy:
It’s a great time to protect the environment, reduce your carbon footprint and save money in the long run. Do it all by installing a solar electric or solar hot water system.
Solar electric systems: capture solar energy and transform it into electricity. Click here to learn more and see how solar electric systems work.
Solar hot water systems: use the sun to heat water and then store it for extended periods, right on your property, making plenty of hot water available for showers, laundry and dishes. Click here to learn more and see how solar hot water systems work.
Right now, there are valuable financial incentives* available that can significantly reduce the cost of these systems:
+ 30% federal tax credit up to $2,000 (expires December 31, 2008)
+ Cash-Back Reward of up to 25% for project costs
+ Site Assessment co-funding of up to 60%
+ An additional $500 bonus for owners of Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® Homes or existing homes that have gone through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program
+ For multi-family buildings or other businesses, implementation grants are available to install solar projects
Visit focusonenergy.com/renewable to learn more about solar and available financial incentives or to sign up for our Renewable eNewsletter.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a media release issued by Focus on Energy:
MADISON, Wis. (October 1, 2008) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, announced today that Oakdale Electric Cooperative officially became a program member beginning October 1, 2008. The utility serves approximately 15,000 customers throughout Monroe and Juneau counties and portions of Jackson, Sauk and Wood counties.
“I welcome Oakdale Electric Cooperative into Focus on Energy and am delighted its customers will be able to benefit from the services the program offers,” said Eric Callisto, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that manages the state’s Focus on Energy Program. “Oakdale Electric Cooperative’s decision to participate in Focus on Energy will result in a healthier environment for Wisconsin and will provide options for its customers to make the same environmentally-friendly decisions.”
Oakdale Electric Cooperative will participate in the Business, Residential and Renewable Energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. The benefits of participating include:
Business Programs that help manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom line and improve productivity and employee and customer comfort. The programs offer technical expertise, training and financial incentives to help implement innovative energy management projects.
Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes, multi-family construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. These programs help homeowners and landlords integrate energy improvements into their remodeling projects, as well as deliver newly-built homes, apartments and condominiums that are comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient.
+ Lighting and appliance programs that increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from compact fluorescent light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. These efforts deliver lower energy bills for residents and businesses and increased sales for retailers and contractors.
+ Renewable Energy Programs that help residents and businesses harness energy from sunlight, wind and organic materials.
+ Targeted Home Performance that reduces energy bills while increasing comfort and safety for income-qualified participants.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2008 | Uncategorized
Join Invenergy, project developer, and Governor Jim Doyle for the Forward Energy Center Dedication Ceremony and Open House
When: October 22, 2008
Dedication Ceremony: 2-3 PM
Open House: 1-6 PM
Tours start on the half hour from 1:00 to 5:30 PM
Brownsville Community Club
871 Main St., Brownsville (on Hwy 49)
Come learn more about the Forward Energy Center and how wind power benefits Wisconsin.
Forward began operations in February 2008, becoming one of the first large-scale wind energy projects in Wisconsin. Forward is owned and operated by Chicago-based Invenergy, which is implementing one of the largest programs of wind development in the United States, Canada and Europe, and is committed to building strong relationships with landowners, communities and utility customers.
Please wear appropriate shoes for walking on uneven surfaces. Reservations are not required.
For more information, contact Susan Dennison at sdennnison@invenergyllc.com
by jboullion | Sep 30, 2008 | Uncategorized
From an article by Craig D. Reber in the Telegraph Herald (Dubuque):
CASSVILLE, Wis. — Now the wait begins.
More than 400 people attended Monday’s Public Service Commission of Wisconsin-hosted public hearing at the Cassville Elementary School gymnasium on Alliant Energy’s application to build a new electric power plant.
Alliant wants to add a 300-megawatt generator – which would produce enough electricity to light 150,000 homes – at the Nelson Dewey Generating Station along the Mississippi River in western Grant County. The company said the plant also will be capable of burning biomass such as switchgrass, corn stalks and wood. Alliant’s alternate site is the Columbia Energy Center, just outside of Portage.
The commission has the authority to approve, deny or modify any proposed electric construction project.
On Monday, the plan attracted supporters and critics. Supporters cite economic development, jobs, and the need for more energy in the state. Opponents cited concerns ranging from health concerns to an increase in pollutants and global warming.
Pam Kleiss, of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Wisconsin, said coal-burning power plants release pollutants that cause a significant challenge to public health.
“The public health care costs are well-documented,” she said.
One of the first speakers was Cassville Village President Louis Okey who was blunt.
“Cassville needs this plant,” he said. “It may not survive if it doesn’t get this plant. There are a lot of places where a plant like this isn’t wanted. There’s overwhelming support here.
by jboullion | Sep 29, 2008 | Uncategorized
A press release issued for the Wisconsin Solar Tour:
A Waukesha home will be one of more than 150 sites in the state open for the 2008 Wisconsin Solar Tour on October 4.
The home of Julie and Vince Toman, 2105 Parkview Court, features 30 roof-mounted solar panels following the second story roofline in the rear of the house.
“It produces more electricity than we need for much of the year. We’ve only paid 6 electric / gas bills in the last 15 months,” according to Julie Toman.
“In fact, we get a credit for the amount of excess electricity it generates,” she added.
Businesses with solar installations will welcome visitors on October 3, the first day of the two-day Solar Tour, organized by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), located in Custer, Wisconsin.
Tour destinations will showcase advances in energy efficient construction, new products, sustainable landscaping, and renewable energy technologies.
“The tour demonstrates that renewable energy is practical, reliable, and affordable in today’s economy,” said Amy Heart, Program Director for the MREA.
“Tour participants have the chance to talk with people who live and work with renewable energy and green building features,” Heart added.
Full details on the Solar Tour and all the open businesses and residences are online at www.the-mrea.org/solartour.php.
by jboullion | Sep 29, 2008 | Uncategorized
From a story by Matthew Perenchio in the Jackson County Chronicle:
BROCKWAY — When Tom and Verona Chambers were looking for a place to build their home, all they really wanted was a spot with a good view, a hill and some water nearby.
And for what they found that Mother Nature created naturally, they’re giving right back.
The Chamberses are in the midst of constructing what will not only be an energy-efficient home in Brockway but a net-zero energy home as well — meaning it has the potential to produce as much energy as it uses.
“It’s actually quite easy to do but not done much,” said Tom, who is the principal at Black River Falls High School.
“I’m not really one to freeze or sit by a little light, and I’m certainly not someone who hunkers down in a quilt on cold nights and doesn’t move,” said Verona, who teaches German and world culture at Tomah Middle School. “What I wanted is some dang, darn good living at an affordable price.”
That type of living, as the Chamberses will show, can be Earth-friendly.
The entire project started in 2007, and original plans were to include solar panels, and, in the state of Wisconsin, electrical companies buy any excess energy that is put back into the electrical grid.
In the case of the Chambers’ house, they were hoping their solar panels would produce as much electrical energy as they used — making the residence a net-zero home — and any extra electricity produced would go to help other energy uses on the grid.
Many solar-powered and energy-efficient businesses and homes around Wisconsin, including western Wisconsin, will be open to the public during the Wisconsin Solar Tour on October 3 and 4.
