For SPN

STEVENS POINT – Home and business owners in Central Wisconsin are getting energized as the Central Wisconsin Solar Group Purchase Program kicks off this July 25 with a special presentation at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). The Solar Central Wisconsin program allows individual home and commercial property owners to access lower prices for solar installations through the power of volume purchasing. This program builds on the success of 2017’s Solar Central Wisconsin program, which led to 308 kW of solar on 46 properties, offsetting approximately 405,264 lbs of carbon dioxide  in the first year alone.

“I’m very excited to participate, once again, in the Solar program through MREA,” said Mayor Wiza, “It was very successful the first time around and we were able to help get solar power installed in a variety of venues. The Power Hours are your doorway into understanding what the program is and what it can do for you. Now, more than ever, installing solar is not just the right thing to do, but now the fiscally smart thing to do.”

With leadership from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and support from Mid-State Technical College (MSTC), the City of Wisconsin Rapids, the City of Stevens Point, and the City of Wausau, the program will run from July 25th to October 13th, 2018. During this time, instructors from the MREA and MSTC will provide free, public one-hour long educational sessions called Solar Power Hours for prospective participants to learn how solar energy works, define the potential of solar energy on their properties, and answer questions. All ‘Solar Power Hours’ are free and open to the public, with a special kickoff on July 25 at MREA in Custer. Home and business owners in Portage, Wood, Marathon, and Waupaca counties are encouraged to participate.

Interested parties will have the opportunity to secure discounted pricing for solar electric systems from the program’s partnering contractor. The program advisory group just completed a competitive bid for a partnering contractor and has selected Stevens Point-based firm, North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative.

“We are excited to bring this program back to Central Wisconsin,” said Nick Hylla, Executive Director of the MREA. “This is the second time that North Wind won the competitive bid. Their pricing is very competitive and their project portfolio is impressive. 46 area homes and businesses purchased solar electric systems through last year’s program. We are expecting even greater interest this year.”

The MREA is a local non-profit organization that has successfully managed similar programs for communities in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Learn more about MREA at MidwestRenew.org. The program’s website, CWsolar.org, includes program details and the full Solar Power Hour schedule.

The first three Solar Power Hours will be held:

(Kickoff Event)
July 25, Wednesday 5:30pm (Chef C’s Munchie Mobile begins serving food at 5:00pm) This Solar Power Hour includes kids’ activities, a tour of MREA’s renewable systems, and an outdoor showing of the PBS American Experience Documentary ‘Tesla.’ Located at Midwest Renewable Energy Association, 7558 Deer Rd, in Custer.

August 2, Thursday, 6:30pm
T-Dubs Pub
111 Cooper St, Waupaca

August 7, Tuesday 4:30pm
Bulls Eye Country Club
2800 Ridgewood Trail, Wisconsin Rapids