The renewable energy industry is booming - and as technology continues to improve and costs come down, a growing number of Wisconsin residents just like you are working with Focus on Energy to realize their renewable energy dream. They have succeeded in using renewable energy systems to produce heat and electricity for their homes or businesses. In fact, 338 renewable energy projects were completed last year, a record for the number of projects completed in one year since the program’s inception in 2002.

Renewable energy can become a reality for you

With a network of experts and a variety of services across Wisconsin, Focus on Energy can help anyone plan, finance and install renewable energy systems. Those who have turned their renewable energy dream into reality have done so with the help of Focus on Energy’s many services. For example, Focus educates residents and business owners about renewable energy choices, provides training and financing, promotes technical assistance and supports the installation of renewable energy technologies across the state.

Who’s realizing their renewable energy dream?

The following business and residents, took advantage of Focus on Energy’s services and installed renewable energy systems that have helped them become more energy independent:

Lee Sorensen of Cross Plains, Wis., installed a solar electric system and a solar domestic hot water system to his home in July 2008. The home was built in 2004 and was certified as a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR^® Home through Focus on Energy, meaning the home was built using high efficiency equipment and effective insulation and air sealing techniques. As a result, the home is estimated to be 25 percent more energy efficient than homes built to Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code, making it a prime candidate for renewable energy. The solar energy projects were completed with the help of $12,400 in financial incentives from Focus on Energy.

Each year, Mr. Sorensen’s solar electric system is expected to generate 6,334 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity; and the solar domestic hot water system will save him more than 91 therms. The renewable energy produced by these systems will offset the burning of three tons of coal and the release of more than eight tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.

H&H Solar Energy Services of Madison, Wis., installed the 5.5 kilowatt (kW) solar electric system and 64 square foot solar domestic hot water system. The solar hot water system will cut the home’s natural gas consumption to heat water by up to 80 percent, and the solar electric system is expected to supply 60 percent of the home’s electrical needs.

In addition, because the solar electric system is part of Madison Gas & Electric’s (MGE) innovative renewable energy rate program, Mr. Sorensen can sell the solar power he generates to MGE for $0.25 and buy it back from MGE at their regular electric rate. In fact, payments for the solar electricity generated have exceeded the cost of Mr. Sorensen’s electric bills since installation by nearly 20 percent - meaning he gets money back from MGE.

Rapid Car Wash in Manitowoc, Wis., completed the installation of a 10-panel, 400 square foot solar hot water system in November 2008 with the help of $8,626 in financial incentives from Focus on Energy. The solar hot water system, installed by Green Sky Energetics of Manitowoc, Wis., will save the car wash more than 863 therms and will prevent more than five tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. In addition, the water heated by the system is enough to supply 60 percent of the business’s annual hot water needs. And in the winter, when the hot water isn’t needed as much for washing cars, it will be used for the business’s radiant floor heating system.

Kathy Crittenden and Kelvin Rodolfo of Viroqua, Wis., completed the installation of their small wind system in November 2008. Installed by Timmerman’s Talents of Platteville, Wis., the 2.5 kW wind turbine is expected to produce 4,081 kWh a year and meet 50 percent of the couple’s electrical needs. The project was completed with the help of $6,129 in financial incentives from Focus on Energy. Timmerman’s Talents also installed solar electric and solar hot water systems at the couple’s Platteville home in 2007.

To find more information about technical and financial assistance available through Focus on Energy, visit focusonenergy.com/renewable or call 800.762.7077.