MADISON, WI —More than $175,000 in cash awards and solar panel donations were awarded to 13 Wisconsin nonprofits as part of the 14th round of grant funding for Solar for Good. These awards will lead to the development of over 800 kilowatts (kW) of solar electricity added to the Wisconsin electric mix and over $2 million in renewable energy investments. This amount of solar energy is equivalent to powering approximately 160 homes in Wisconsin. By installing solar panels, these nonprofits can significantly reduce their energy costs, allowing them to reinvest the savings back into their organizations and amplify their missions.
Couleecap, a community action agency dedicated to fighting poverty and promoting self-sufficiency, economic development, and social justice, will use its grant to install solar on a 24-unit affordable housing project in Prairie du Chien. The savings generated from the array will allow Couleecap to keep rent affordable for its residents.
“The Solar for Good program is critical to affordable housing developers like Couleecap,” said Hetti Brown, Executive Director of Couleecap. “It enables us to make solar accessible to low-income families, seniors, and disabled veterans so that their housing is not only truly affordable but sustainable as well. We are grateful to RENEW Wisconsin and the Couillard Foundation for making these grants available to nonprofits.”
HOPE Village, another grant recipient, has found a unique solution to provide stable housing through sheltering, mentoring, and education. Their tiny house program serves individuals with disabilities, women, children, and people of color. HOPE Village will install a 37.8-kW solar system, meeting the complete energy needs of all 11 tiny homes and the community resource center.
“This donation will have a lasting impact on the residents of HOPE Village,” said Nicholas Gagnon of HOPE Village. “This solar array and battery backup system will free up much-needed dollars for HOPE.”
The River Food Pantry is another organization benefiting from the Solar for Good grants. The River’s mission is to provide food, resources, and faith to build a stronger community. The River focuses on reducing food insecurity among low-income and underserved communities throughout Dane County. The River’s solar array on their new facility will offset 27% of The River’s electricity needs.
“Solar for Good’s support will enable The River Food Pantry to install a 112-kW solar array on the southern roof of our new pantry building,” said Ryan Holley, Grants Manager of The River Food Pantry. “Incorporating sustainable infrastructure is key to ensuring that The River can serve our food-insecure neighbors and support the shared values of our Dane County community well into the future. We are deeply grateful to the Solar for Good initiative, RENEW Wisconsin, and the Couillard Solar Foundation for helping make our planned investments in sustainable operations a reality.”
Since its inception in 2017, Solar for Good has awarded grants to more than 200 Wisconsin nonprofits, resulting in over $20 million in clean energy investments across the state. By enabling nonprofits to adopt solar energy, the program not only helps reduce operational costs but also empowers these organizations to further their missions sustainably.
The following organizations were offered Spring 2024 grants to install new solar energy systems:
- Aptiv, Inc – healthcare, La Crosse
- Blessed Sacrament Congregation – religious, Madison
- CESA 10 – education, Chippewa Falls
- Couleecap – housing, Prairie du Chien
- Eco-Justice Center – environmental education, Racine
- First Presbyterian Church – religious, Marshfield
- Heartland Farm Sanctuary – animal sanctuary (welfare?), Stoughton
- Hope Village – Tiny Housing Alternatives – housing, Chippewa Falls
- House of Mercy Homeless Shelter – housing, Janesville
- Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church – religious, Madison
- Mt. Zion Lutheran Church – religious, Wauwautosa
- St. Vincent de Paul Sauk Prairie – human services, Prairie du Sac
- River Food Pantry – food pantry, Madison
