LA CROSSE, Wis. – Have you noticed something different about your favorite local nonprofits and schools? Look up – you might see solar panels shining on the rooftops. Some are out of sight but all are basking in the sunlight and producing electricity. Over the past few years, solar installations have quietly appeared across the Coulee Region, thanks to the generosity of numerous donors committed to clean energy, community resilience, and climate action.
To date, the donors – including Solar Moon Shot, Solar for Good, Solar for Schools, Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Focus on Energy, local solar installers, and anonymous individuals – have helped 18 nonprofit organizations, and schools across the area install solar power systems, lowering their operating costs and investing in a healthier future for the region. And the impact is growing: local libraries are now the latest to benefit from this clean energy initiative.
As one donor shared, “We have a choice. We can send our utility dollars out West to buy coal that will pollute our air. Or we can invest in solar and harness the sun, reduce our electric bills, and educate our children about our energy future.”
Among the 18 recipients is Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region, where the solar array atop the Habitat ReStore now covers most of the building’s electricity needs, freeing up critical funds for the nonprofit’s core mission.
“Every dollar we save on electric bills is a dollar we can reinvest in building homes, community, and hope,” said Kahya Fox, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region. “The generosity of a donor is helping us live our values of sustainability while expanding our impact.”
At Hamilton Elementary School, the educational value of solar is just as powerful as the environmental benefits.
“Using solar power partially funded by the citizens of Solar on La Crosse Schools helps students connect the dots between energy and the environment,” said Dan Duncanson, Building Engineer at Hamilton. “Our panels have already saved the equivalent of nearly 5,000 trees in carbon emissions, and we use that data to make science come alive in real time.”
Libraries are now joining the solar movement, extending the benefits of renewable energy into more public spaces. The Bangor Library was the first to receive a solar installation through the donor programs, paving the way for other library branches to follow. These systems not only help reduce operating costs but also serve as a visible commitment to sustainability and education—providing new opportunities for patrons to learn about clean energy right in their own neighborhoods.
Solar for Homes and Community
Local residents are encouraged to explore how solar could benefit their own homes. Solar energy offers:
- Lower monthly utility bills
- Protection from rising energy prices
- Increased property value
- Cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions
In Wisconsin, programs like Focus on Energy, federal tax credits, and group-buy solar initiatives are making it easier and more affordable than ever to make the switch.
Tools for Small Businesses and Nonprofits
Organizations and individuals interested in saving energy and money can explore free resources offered by Our Climate Alliance. Their toolkits are tailored to small businesses and nonprofits and provide simple, effective steps for energy efficiency, funding options, and clean energy upgrades.
Learn more at ourclimatealliance.org.
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