State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, BCPL Chair Visits Solar Panel Investment Site in Washburn

WASHBURN, Wis. — State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski met with local officials and community members to visit the recently installed solar panel array built for the Washburn Wastewater Treatment Plan on Tuesday. The BCPL, chaired by Godlewski, approved $169,000 in financing for this project which is producing significant savings in electricity costs, from solar electric production and other energy efficiencies, and reducing the community’s carbon footprint.

“Financing these solar panels is a win-win investment for the city of Washburn,” said State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. “Not only does this project save taxpayer dollars and keep utility costs low, but it utilizes renewable energy, decreasing carbon emissions. This is a model we’d like to see replicated in more communities across the state, and as chair of the BCPL, our State Trust Fund Loan Program is a great source of financing for projects like these.”

City Administrator Scott Kluver described the project, “Working with community members, the BCPL’s State Trust Fund Loan Program was a quick and easy solution for financing that helped make this project a reality. Installing the solar panels has allowed us to save energy, helping with the long-term financial stability of the utility and keeping rates in check for city residents.”

“Our communities have a real opportunity to lead when it comes to renewable energy, and the success of the Wastewater Treatment Plant solar array project demonstrates this. We look forward to future partnerships with BCPL to find more ways to conserve energy and save taxpayers’ money,” said Bill Bailey, President of Cheq Bay Renewables, which worked to develop the project with Washburn.

To date, this solar PV system has produced 248 MWh (mega-watt hours) of electricity. This is enough electricity to power 753,078 lights. It has also reduced the city of Washburn’s carbon footprint by 182 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to planting 9,136 trees.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.