Lincoln County-Extension will be hosting a panel discussion “Is Solar Energy for You?” on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
The program will be at the Lincoln County Service Center (801 N. Sales Street, Suite #257 Merrill, WI 54452) and feature representatives from Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), Focus on Energy, and North Wind Renewable Energy. The Lincoln County Board recently enabled County property owners to participate in MREA’s 2019 Central Wisconsin Solar Group Buy program. The program provides education on solar energy while potentially reducing the investment cost of going solar by taking advantage of the community’s collective purchasing power. Portage County, the Village of Plover, Cities of Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids have joined Lincoln County in participating in the 2019 Group Buy program.
The Lincoln County Board has also authorized the availability of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing in the County, which provides property owners low-cost, long-term loans for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements. Additionally, Focus on Energy has a program that provides residential solar electric incentives to property owners in Lincoln County. The June 6 program is a unique opportunity for participants to hear from State renewable energy experts and determine if solar energy might be an option worth pursuing for their residence, farm or business.
“In our area, we have to import fossil fuels so every time we use them money is leaving our community,” Lincoln County District 11 Supervisor Hans Breitenmoser.
“The money saved by using renewable energy will be reinvested locally and solar energy is an opportunity to become more energy independent while also reducing fossil fuel use.”
Moderator Melinda Osterberg, Lincoln County Extension Community Development Educator, will facilitate a panel comprised of Nick Hylla – MREA Executive Director, Dylan Crye – Focus on Energy Operations Supervisor, Jordan Kaiser – Design Consultant at North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative, and James Botsford – Central Wisconsin solar energy producer.