Ledgeview powers up on solar energy

For the past several years Ledgeview Nature Center has hosted a "Food and Energy Festival" and has goals of practicing what they preach in renewable energy.

After two years of fundraising they have now moved closer to accomplishing their mission to become as energy efficient as possible. Last week Ledgeview had a 3.2 Kilowatt Solar Tracking Array installed on their grounds.

The installation was completed by Mike Troge of NEW Solar, LLC and a group of construction -based professionals taking a week long course on solar energy at Ledgeview.

The general contractors, electricians and others spent the week with classroom and hands -on instruction to pursue certification in installation of systems in accordance with Focus on Energy thru the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in Custer, Wis.

Ledgeview benefited from their hands-on instruction by receiving free installation.

The 3.2 Kilowatt Solar Tracking Array produces 30% more energy than a fixed array. The tracking array is on a rotating system and follows the sun through the sky during the entire day.

The system should offset 10% of the yearly energy costs at the center.

Although limited in the U.S. as compared to Europe and Japan, the concept of renewable energy is slowly gaining attention in this country.

The student workers at Ledgeview report that only 3.5% of U.S. households use some form of renewable energy, while in Europe the rate nears 70%.

Ledgeview Nature Center has received numerous grants and donations over the past two years to complete the project. A major donor was Focus on Energy.

In addition Ledgeview received money from the Chilton Area Community Foundation, an environmental grant from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc., Green Bay Packer Foundation, Peters Foundation, Glacier Land Resource and Development, WPS Foundation, Wal-Mart, and a private donor..

The Environmental Grant will cover the costs of an indoor display on renewable energy, including a monitor that tracks the system's output.

Calumet County Naturalist Ron Zahringer, states that Calumet County will also be tracking the output and has expressed interest in installing a second unit.

The "Food and Energy Festival" is scheduled this year for Sept. 11. A ribbon cutting ceremony of the solar tracking array will take place. In addition, Ledgeview will host locally grown and produced foods and beer, renewable energy displays, kid's games and more.

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