Added  Green Building & LEED  Add Significantly to GDP, Jobs, Labor Earnings, Savings
The cumulative direct economic impact of green construction nationally from 2011-2014 was $167 billion to GDP, 2.1 million jobs and $148 billion in labor earnings according to  The Green Building Economic Impact Study prepared for the US Green Building Council, September 2015. Green building outpaced traditional construction. Continued growth is projected for 2015-2018 with an additional $303 billion in GDP that supports 3.9 million jobs generating $268 billion in labor earnings. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) construction spending is estimated to be directly responsible for 1.4 million jobs and contribute $109 billion to the GDP by 2018. Additionally, four-year indirect GDP contributions from green construction are projected to rise from $189 billion to $346 billion 

In Wisconsin, the economic impact on employment from green building was 104,000 jobs with $5.9 billion in earnings from  2011-2014, which is projected to  grow to 195,000 jobs with $11.4 billion in earnings (direct and indirect) 2015-2018. Furthermore, significant growth in environmental savings from green building are expected from 2015-2018 including savings in energy $2.4 billion, maintenance $1.5 billion, water $256.5 million, and  waste $99.2 million.  See info-graphic 

Utility Fee On Solar Rejected
We Energies' rate case approved by the public Service Commission (PSC) last December included a new fee (capacity demand charge) on customers who generate their own power with solar, biogas, and hydropower and feed that power into the utility grid,  This fee was rejected by Dane County Court on October 30, 2015 on the grounds that the PSC had insufficient evidence to support its decision.  An in depth study of the cost and benefits of solar was not done.  According to Renew Wisconsin, the additional $3.79 per kilowatt fee would have resulted in a 27 percent reduction in energy bill savings on a typical home 5 kilowatt system.  The Alliance for Solar Choice and Renew Wisconsin filed the appeal on this one aspect.  All other PSC rulings are unchanged.  For more information see JS

Wisconsin Ranks 22 in Energy Efficiency
ACEEE issued the 2015 State Energy Scorecard where Wisconsin ranked 22nd in energy efficiency.  With a score of 18 out of 50, criteria included items like financial incentives, public building requirements, fleets, performance contracting, and research and development.  Massachusetts ranked first scoring 44, followed by California scoring 43.5.  Illinois and Minnesota both ranked 10th.  Iowa ranked 12th and Michigan 14th.  Wisconsin's rank fell from 17th in 2014.  To read more

Alliant Solar Project
Wisconsin's largest solar power project is being planned by Alliant Energy Corporation in a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Hanwha Q CELLS USA.  The system, to be owned and operated by Hanwha, will be constructed on the coal ash landfill of Alliant's two Beloit plants.  This solar power project is estimated to produce 2.25 megawatts of electricity, slightly larger than Epic Systems' 2.2 megawatt system.  To read more, visit JS, Alliant.

Taylor Electric Community Solar
Taylor Electric Coop's Bright Horizons 100.8 kilowatt community solar project in Medford, WI provided investor members with their first credit on September's energy bill.  Community solar is a simple, affordable way for individuals and businesses to participate in solar energy.  To purchase a unit costs $945, and each unit has 350 watts of energy-producing capacity.  There are a total of 274 sellable units in the solar garden although nearly two-thirds are sold.  A dashboard that shows the amount of electricity produced by the solar system daily and the amount of coal and carbon dioxide avoided is posted along with frequently asked questions on Taylor Electric Coop's website.

MGE Plans Community Solar in Middleton
Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) is partnering with the City of Middleton to install a solar energy system on their Municipal Operations Center that will generate 500 kilowatts of electricity that will feed back into the grid.  MGE plans to offer a sign up for approximately 250 customers (at the 2kW level) who want to buy into that local solar.  This provides an option for customers who can't or won't install their own solar system but want to support clean energy.  The proposed cost includes a one-time fee of $189 with an annual cost of $155.50 per year, or 12 cents a kilowatt hour fixed rate for twenty-five years.  According to MGE, this will add approximately $3 per month to the average electric bill.  

In return for use of their roof for the community project, MGE plans to place a 100 kilowatt solar system on Middleton's police department building, which should offset approximately 25 percent of the building's annual electricity use.  Middleton is an Energy Independent Community working to generate 25 percent of their energy from renewables by 2025.  The project proposal has been submitted to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for approval and can be on line as early as summer 2016.  For more information MGE, WSJ, Middleton.

Sauk County Bidding Third Party Solar Project
Sauk county is shepherding a third party solar energy project on municipal rooftops through the process and may go out to bid for a private investor to finance the project.  The county commissioned a study by E3 Coalition that identified energy efficiency upgrades that can save Sauk County $177,000 per year on utility bills and $105,000 per year in solar energy production.  E3 recommended a third party solar project where the investor buys the panels, receiving the federal energy tax credit, with the municipality leasing space for the system.  The county may buy the system at a depreciated cost after six years.

In contrast, the City of Monona implemented a third party solar project but used a company to identify investors and broker the business deal, then went out to bid for the solar panels and installation.  The 30% federal solar tax credit is reduced to 10% after December 2016, so these projects need to be underway now to be completed by the deadline.  To read more; to read about Monona's project.

Kickapoo Coffee Fully Electrified by Solar
Kickapoo Coffee, Viroqua, Wisconsin, is one of the first commercial coffee toasters in the U.S. powered entirely by solar energy.  Kickapoo installed a 25 kW, 80 panel solar array that eliminated all their electricity purchases.  With Focus on Energy and REAP grants, the 30% federal energy tax credit and local community investors, the $75,000 project cost $30,000 and will have a payback of seven to eight years.  The photovoltaic system has a carbon removal equivalency of 17.5 acres of tress.  Kickapoo Coffee owners are challenging other coffee companies to do the same.  To read more visit:  Daily Coffee News, Lacrosse Tribune, and New8000.

UW-Oshkosh Third Greenest University
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh was ranked third in the country in Sierra Club's America's Greenest Universities: The Top 10 Eco-valedictorians.  Among its accomplishments, UW-Oshkosh saves $300,000 a year thorugh energy efficient practices.  They have the largest concentration of solar panels on a state-owned facility and three biodigesters that generate 20% of the energy to heat campus buiuldings- a number of which are LEED-certified.  UW-Oshkosh reduced potable water consumption by replacing 2,000 plumbing fixtures, saving $135,000 a year in water and water-heating costs.  For information

Wisconsin Energy Institute Status
The Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI) is an interdisciplinary research institute on the UW-Madison campus and a hub for renewable and clean energy research, education, and outreach.  WEI is home to the federal Great Lakes Bioenergy grant, valued at $267 million from 2007-2017.  Historically, the state provided $4 million per year in funding as a match, but that funding was eliminated for the 2015-2017 biennium. Fortunately, the UW-Madison campus has committed to providing a majority of that funding for the next two years.

WEI remains committed to identifying new partners in the public and private sectors that can help increase the impact of its activities.  As research, technology, and innovation center, WEI plays a critical role in helping Wisconsin's manufacturing, agricultural, and forestry sectors create competitive advantages and open new markets.  For more information, see WEI or contact WEI Associate Director Mary Blanchard at 608-890-3828, maryblanchard@wisc.edu.