Contact: Hanna Terwilliger, Solar Power Wisconsin spokesperson
715-559-8828 (c) hannaterwilli@gmail.com
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – As solar continues to grow throughout the state and across the country, local organizations Affordable Solar Chippewa Valley and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) will host Solar Power Wisconsin, an affordable energy conference.
“We are excited to partner with CVTC again this year to offer residents of western Wisconsin a great educational opportunity to learn more about solar energy,” said conference spokesperson Hanna Terwilliger. “This year attendees will have opportunity, via Google Earth, to consult with installers on the solar potential of their properties, or learn how they can join a community solar garden at one of our local electricity providers.”
Solar Power Wisconsin will take place on Oct. 24, 2015 at CVTC’s new Energy Education Center at 4000 Campus Road in Eau Claire, WI. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. with a vendor fair hosting solar installers and energy organizations, followed by speakers on topics relating to solar electric energy. This year’s featured speakers are Doug Stingle, Development Director of Midwest Renewable Energy Association and Tyler Huebner, Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin. The conference is free and open to the public. To help with planning organizers ask that attendees register online at solarpowerwisconsin.com .
The conference will also give Chippewa Valley residents the opportunity to learn more about the new community solar gardens being offered by Eau Claire Energy Coop and Xcel energy. Dave Donovan, General Manager, Customer and Community Service from Xcel Energy stated “Xcel Energy is committed to supporting solar power through its Solar*Connect Community project. Later this year, interested Xcel customers will have the opportunity to subscribe to local community solar at a size and cost that works for them.”
Attendees interested in putting in their own solar can hear from local residents, farmers, and businesses who have partnered with solar installers to install their own systems. “Putting up solar on my home was easier than getting my car washed,” noted Eau Claire homeowner Sharat Ahluwalia. Ahluwalia worked with North Wind Renewable Energy to install his 7.5 kW system after attending last year’s conference. Jordan Kaiser of North Wind Renewable Energy added: “Solar energy represents an integral component in the solution to our world’s energy crisis. By installing a solar energy system, you are demonstrating a commitment to equitable community, an energy independent nation, and a sustainable world.”
“The key thing we want to emphasize with this conference is that solar is an affordable option for everyone – individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations,” said Terwilliger. “This is a great educational opportunity for everyone, beginner or expert, to learn more about solar energy.”
