Photo by Richard Hurd
Solar for Good Program Opens Fifth Donation Round to Assist More Wisconsin Nonprofits in “Going Solar”
RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good program has opened its fifth round of donations to help Wisconsin nonprofits install solar power. Since 2017, Solar for Good has helped 62 Wisconsin nonprofit organizations “go solar.” When completed, these organizations will install a total of 2,727 kilowatts of solar electricity, enough to power over 500 households.
The Solar for Good program is administered through RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide renewable energy advocacy and education organization. Through a generous donation from the Couillard Solar Foundation, Solar for Good supplies winning nonprofits with solar modules to reduce the overall cost of installing solar power.
This is Solar for Good’s fifth award cycle, and the program has assisted nonprofits of all types and sizes across Wisconsin. Grantees include houses of worship, animal shelters, schools, veterans’ services, nature retreats, and affordable housing providers.
By accepting a Solar for Good award, nonprofits agree to promote the environmental and economic benefits of solar power to the community. Winning organizations educate their members about solar power and are able to showcase their projects’ benefits. To date, Solar for Good has issued over $750,000 worth of donations to nonprofit organizations, which will result in a nearly $7 million investment in Wisconsin solar power when all projects are completed.
Solar for Good applications must be received by Wednesday, October 30th 2019 at 5:00pm. Decisions and award announcements will be made on or before Friday, November 15th, 2019.
How to Apply
Organizations can learn more and apply at www.renewwisconsin.org/solarforgood/. In order to be eligible, the organization must be a registered nonprofit organization located in Wisconsin, be in good financial standing, be ready to install solar, and agree to participate in educating community members about the benefits of solar energy. If approved for a solar panel award, all fundraising, design and installation for the solar project must be completed within 12 months.
Applications for the Fall 2019 round of solar panel donations must be received by Wednesday, October 30th 2019 at 5:00pm. Decisions and award announcements will be made on or before Friday, November 15th, 2018.
For organizations looking at solar power for the first time, technical assistance grants are available to fund a solar site assessment (up to $250) or engineering review (up to $500) for their solar array. These applications will be reviewed separately from the applications for solar panel awards and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
About Solar for Good
RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good initiative fosters the expansion of solar power among mission-based nonprofits in Wisconsin. Through a generous partnership with Couillard Solar Foundation, RENEW Wisconsin awards solar panels to nonprofit organizations, helping them switch to clean, renewable, solar energy. More information can be found at www.renewwisconsin.org/solarforgood/.
About RENEW Wisconsin
RENEW Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization which promotes renewable energy in Wisconsin. We work on policies and programs that support solar power, wind power, biogas, local hydropower, geothermal energy, and electric vehicles. More information on RENEW’s website: www.renewwisconsin.org.