$40,000 Provided to Four Energy Systems by WisconSUN
MADISON, Wis. (October, 1999)÷The Wisconsin Solar Use Network (WisconSUN) recently provided $40,000 to four innovative photovoltaic (PV) energy systems under its first grant cycle. PV systems convert sunlight directly into electricity without noise or pollution.
The Waunakee high school PV system was installed earlier this month. The 2.3 kW (kilowatt) rooftop mounted system will be used not only for electricity generation but also for education. For each of the next several years the system will be expanded based on studentsā design and technology recommendations until it has a capacity of 10 kW.
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay PV system will be located on a new classroom building. The 23 kW system will be the largest in Wisconsin ö and one of the first where the PV material is also an integral and functional part of the buildingās windows and roof. The PV windows will use a thin-film PV material that is laser-etched to make the window transparent. A portion of the buildingās roof will also be coated with a thin-film PV material.
A Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) green power program will place MG&E owned and operated PV systems on customersā buildings. The first sites include the Dane County Expoās Arena Building and a Madison-area church. In exchange for the use of a customerās site, MG&E will provide 10% of the PV power to the site owner. MG&E customers will have the opportunity to support these projects through MG&Eās green power program.
The Ritger Law Office (Random Lake, WI) PV system will also be the buildingās roof. The PV material will be laminated onto metal standing seam roofing. The office building will incorporate designs and technologies that maximize the use of renewable resources such as daylighting for building lighting and a geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling.
WisconSUN's goals are to increase the number of effective solar energy systems by providing assistance to prospective system owners and through supporting Wisconsinās commercial solar energy service and technology providers. WisconSUN was created by the Energy Center of Wisconsin÷a private nonprofit organization dedicated to improving energy efficiency in Wisconsin. For more information about WisconSUN contact Niels Wolter, 7507 Hubbard Avenue, Suite 200, Middleton, WI 53562; phone 608.831.1127, ext. 308; or Wolter@MSBnrg.com.
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