Solar Energy
Renewable energy — specifically solar energy— is one of the most effective ways we can cut greenhouse gas emissions right here at home. By working with individuals, businesses, and local governments, CCCDC makes clean, affordable solar energy more accessible to all, strengthening our community today while building a more resilient tomorrow.
Community Leadership and Results
CCCDC partnered with non-profit solar leader MREA (Midwest Renewable Energy Association) and Eland Electric, to connect Door County individuals and organizations to solar power — and we are proud to report a lot of good progress!
44 individuals, businesses, and nonprofits have have committed to install more than 440 kW of new solar power in our community. This new local solar energy production directly displaces fossil fuel burning, cleans our air, and provides cost savings to individuals and businesses.
A County-wide Success
With our education sessions, over 150 solar-curious folks signed up, and 44 new solar installs are completed and in-progress, all to be completed by year end, across the community, from Brussels to Gills Rock.
From the 75 existing Door County solar installations, these 44 new solar installs add a significant jump (58%!) in renewable power in the County.
443 new kilowatts (KW) will be supplied by solar power…
This solar power directly displaces utility power so that 100 tons of coal will now not being burned, annually
This solar power will mean 180 tons of atmospheric CO2 will be avoided, annually
This solar power production is the environmental equivalent of removing 65 cars from the road each year
And it will have the 30-year carbon reduction / sequestration impact of planting 30,000 trees covering 12 football fields, to connect this to our other passionate work.
That’s 40 new homes, 1 business, and 3 nonprofits leading the way with this smart financial and environmental investment.
Solar is one of the very few home or business improvement investments you can make in which you will recover the entire upfront cost, usually in less than 12 years. More than that though, this is the personal investment that keeps on giving – week over week, year over year –displacing the power we use from the utility, which is primarily fossil fuels.
[WPS’s power mix is 83% fossil fuel (39% coal, 45% gas), and Sturgeon Bay Utility’s power mix is 54% fossil fuel (33% coal, 21% gas)]
The two ways to reduce your personal home or business fossil fuel burning are to either (1) use less power or (2) supply your own clean renewable energy.
If these new solar installation were all in one big solar array, like with community solar, you could visualize it like this… 44 families and groups, with their collective 984 solar panels, working together for cleaner energy production…
With CCCDC, MREA, and Eland Electric, and all of these individuals and organizations, this was a huge WHOLE COMMUNITY success, and we thank you for helping spread the word and make it happen.
And we plan to keep building on this success with you. If you are still interested in solar for your home or business, for the year ahead, we plan to team up on another group buy…. So let us know you!
Find the Solar Path That Works for You
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Individual Solar
Install panels on your home, business, or nonprofit. Reduce energy costs, cut emissions, and take direct action for a cleaner future.
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Community Solar
Join with neighbors to invest in shared solar arrays. This is an option for renters, shaded properties, or anyone who can’t install panels on their own.
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Utility-Scale Solar
Support larger projects with our local utilities that transition Door County’s energy mix toward renewables as coal plants are retired.
Local Experts, Ready to Help
To see if solar power works for you, we recommend you reach out to one of our local, helpful, knowledgeable solar installers.
Appleton Solar
Ingrid & Patrick Nahm
www.appleton-solar.com | (920) 470-6393
Eland Electric
Jesse Michalski | (920) 338-6000 x105
Eric Edler | (920) 655-6178
www.elandelectric.com | (920) 338-6000 x105
Lake Michigan Wind & Sun
John Hippensteel
www.solar-flairs.net | (920) 743-0456
Faith Technologies
https://www.faithtechinc.com | (888) 556-9055
Get Solar Program Updates
Stay up to date on renewable energy opportunities in Door County. From workshops and local policy updates to new solar projects and community success stories, we’ll keep you informed and connected.
FAQs
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Solar is now the cheapest form of energy on the planet. The cost has dropped dramatically in recent years thanks to falling equipment prices. Payback period depend on the specifics of your installation, but many in Wisconsin payback within 7–15 years, with savings continuing long after.
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If you have a shaded property, or your roof isn’t suitable, there are lots of ways to get the benefits of solar. This can include ground mounts for individual solar installs or options like community solar. The truth is that there’s an option for everyone.
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Yes. Solar panels generate electricity whenever there’s daylight even in cold or snowy conditions. In fact, panels can perform more efficiently in cooler weather.
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We provide a list of recommended local installers who have already worked with Door County homes and businesses. Each will assess your site and provide a free estimate to help you decide if solar is right for you.
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Every new system helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy bills, and keep more dollars in the local economy. In Door County, solar power is a growing source of clean energy.