Press Release Archives - Grow Solar https://www.growsolar.org/category/press-release/ Educating Communities Since 2013. Tue, 15 Jun 2021 13:54:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.growsolar.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Grow-Solar-icon-144-07.png Press Release Archives - Grow Solar https://www.growsolar.org/category/press-release/ 32 32 Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee reaches its first goal, triggering rebate https://www.growsolar.org/press-release/grow-solar-greater-milwaukee-reaches-its-first-goal-triggering-rebate/ Tue, 15 Jun 2021 13:54:23 +0000 https://www.growsolar.org/?p=11914 The post Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee reaches its first goal, triggering rebate appeared first on Grow Solar.

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Milwaukee, WI – The Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee group buy program has reached its first goal of 50kW with nine properties committing to go solar in Milwaukee and the North Shore villages, triggering a rebate for all participants. This solar education and group purchasing program is offered with support from Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), the Bay View Neighborhood Association, the Cities of Milwaukee and Glendale, and the Villages of Bayside, Fox Point, Shorewood, and Whitefish Bay. Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee launched in April, and momentum continues to grow. 

During regular free, hour-long webinars called Solar Power Hours, Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee representatives give a brief explanation of the program, discuss the projected costs of installing solar and highlight the benefits of going solar. Interested property owners have until September 30th to decide whether to participate in the program. A complete schedule of the Solar Power Hours can be found at GreaterMilwaukee.GrowSolar.org.

“With so many people working from home over the last year, people are paying closer attention to their home energy use,” said Elizabeth Hittman, Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office. “Lots of people want to find out how they can save money by putting solar on their roof.”

“My wife and I live in an East Side duplex that we own,” said Greg James of Milwaukee. “Six years ago we joined with others in the neighborhood and installed an array of sixteen solar panels on our roof. It supplies about 70% of the electricity used in the building. The MREA Grow Solar program made it easy for us to learn how solar energy production is accessible to homeowners and simplified the entire purchase and installation process. We have never regretted our decision.”

Part of making solar simple involves helping select a solar installer to work with. Through a competitive request for proposals process, representatives from MREA, Milwaukee Shines, and the supporting villages selected Arch Electric based in Plymouth, WI with additional offices in Milwaukee because of their diverse staff of trusted, licensed, NABCEP certified solar installers with over 100 years of combined experience.

“We’re trying to simplify the process of going solar,” said Peter Murphy, Solar Program Director for the MREA. “It can seem complicated, so we present clear information and answer folks’ questions at our Solar Power Hours and then they can determine for themselves whether solar is right for them.” 

Group purchase programs provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to invest in high-quality, renewable energy solar installations and realize savings, while also helping reach sustainability goals. Estimated first-year savings on utility bills have ranged from $690 to more than $1,000, depending on the size of the array.  

“We view this collaborative effort as a way to encourage solar energy, remove obstacles for its implementation, and leverage collective buying power to provide sustainable resilience, not only within Bayside, but throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area,” said Andy Pederson, Bayside Village Manager.  

Free Solar Power Hour webinars are available all summer. For the full list of dates and to register to attend, visit GreaterMilwaukee.GrowSolar.org. 

Additional Resource: Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee Media Kit 

The MREA was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit shortly after the first Energy Fair in 1990. MREA’s mission is to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. To learn more, call 715-592-6595 or visit www.midwestrenew.org.

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]]> Grow Solar Linn County Concludes With Record-Breaking Numbers https://www.growsolar.org/news/grow-solar-linn-county-concludes-with-record-breaking-numbers/ Thu, 23 Jan 2020 15:58:04 +0000 https://www.growsolar.org/?p=8899 Surpasses all expectations, bringing solar to Linn County!

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]]> Linn County, IA – The Grow Solar Linn County group purchase program has wrapped up their most successful year to date, surpassing its final benchmark of 350 kilowatts (kW) with 90 properties achieving 734.06 kW of new solar to be installed on properties in Linn County. This year marks the second group purchase program in the area, the first being Solarize Cedar Rapids & Linn County in 2017. The 2019 program has built upon the previous programs’ success, with nearly 1,333 kW of solar installed through the group purchase programs, and have helped nearly 200 properties add solar.

In its second iteration, Linn County, Cedar Rapids, Marion, Mount Vernon, Center Point, The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, Indian Creek Nature Center, Matthew 25/Green Iowa AmeriCorps, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) launched this bulk solar group purchase program for Linn County residents and businesses in June. The Grow Solar Linn County team facilitated 19 free, educational information sessions called Solar Power Hours, which drew in almost 400 attendees.

Group purchase programs provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to invest in high-quality, renewable energy solar installations with potential savings on installation costs, while also helping businesses reach sustainability goals. Grow Solar Linn County’s grassroots program combines volume purchasing with community education to make solar more accessible and affordable for area property owners. Passing the 350 kW benchmark triggered a discount for program participants averaging $650 per installation.

In their first year of operation, the solar arrays installed through this year’s program will offset 900 tons of CO2 emissions per year, which is equivalent to 400 tons of coal burned and will save an estimated $133,797 in electric bills. This program lead to a local investment of $1.7 million in renewable energy. “The growth of the program is a clear indication that the environmental and financial benefits of solar technology are making a positive impact in the region. We are proud to be part of the Grow Solar Linn County group purchase program,” stated Larry Steffen, VP of Sales with Eagle Point Solar. Representatives from Eagle Point Solar, the selected installer for the 2019 group purchase, prepared over 260 bids during the course of the summer

About Linn County Public Health:

Linn County Public Health, an agency within Linn County government, serves more than 225,000 residents of Linn County to prevent disease and injury, promote healthy living, protect the environment, and ensure public health preparedness. Learn more at linncounty.org/health or by calling 319-892-6000. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LCPublicHealth and follow us on Twitter @LCPublicHealth.

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