Milwaukee Shines has announced an expansion of its group solar power purchasing program into the Washington Heights and Layton Boulevard West neighborhoods.
Milwaukee Shines is a project of the City of Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability. The Milwaukee Shines Solar Group Buy Program, offered in cooperation with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and the Riverwest Cooperative Alliance, allows community members in a neighborhood to share the costs of solar power installations through a discounted group purchase.
Its first two offerings, Solar Bay View and Solar Riverwest, have met with success. In Bay View, 35 homeowners installed solar power, while in Riverwest, 17 homeowners purchased solar panels.
The installer, Madison-based H&H Solar, can offer a price break at certain thresholds because of the lowered cost of bulk purchasing, and since the program helps lower its marketing costs, said Amy Heart, Sustainability and Solar Program manager. Riverwest reached the 50 kw threshold and Bay View reached the 100 kw price break.
The Washington Heights Neighborhood Association and Layton Boulevard West Neighbors will help spread the word and provide more information in those neighborhoods about the Solar Group Buy Program, which will be available through the end of the year.
“We’re using the power of buying in bulk to lower the cost for the homeowner,” Heart said. “Solar is a viable option in Milwaukee, and this program helps residents learn about the technology and connect with financing solutions to make it a reality for their home or business.”
Milwaukee Shines helps educate homeowners and businesses about solar energy, including the incentives available—a 30 percent federal tax credit, a cashback incentive from the state’s Focus on Energy program and a low interest loan program Milwaukee Shines offers through a credit union.
“I hope Milwaukee homeowners take advantage of the program in order to reduce energy bill costs,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. “I can see the positive effects it will have on our city as a whole, and I look forward to see the program’s continued success in the next year.”
