The pandemic has prompted many people to think differently, including about the important role that energy consumption plays in our daily lives. That realization—the importance of energy—has spurred a strong interest in solar energy investment, and one local program, Grow Solar Central Wisconsin, made this process easier and more affordable for 28 central Wisconsin property owners to commit to going solar in 2020.

Powered by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), Grow Solar is a solar education and group-buy program empowering communities across the Midwest to invest in solar energy. The program began in 2017 with the help of local organizations and a partnership between Mid-State Technical College, the cities of Stevens Point and Wausau, and the MREA. Since then, it has resulted in more than 1,089 kW of installed solar on 174 central Wisconsin properties.

This year, despite a global pandemic, the Central Wisconsin program proved once again that interest in solar is booming. The 2020 program will see another 180 kWs of solar added to Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, and Wood Counties. Program participants earned an almost 6% rebate for their Grow Solar systems in addition to already lower-than-market prices through the group buy. The newly installed 180 kW of capacity will offset more than 356,580 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and collectively save solar homeowners roughly $24,019 on electricity bills in their first year of operation alone.