by Renae Bauer
Winter 2019 newsletter
Five years ago, the Sisters were pleased to announce plans to generate “green” energy by installing a 112-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Today, plans are underway to expand the system by 98kW by July 2019.
“In 2014, we had hoped to generate half of our electricity from solar but could afford only one-third,” says Sister Rose Jochmann, chair of the Community’s Sustainability Committee. “Our commitment to sustainability and care of the earth compelled us to look at our options again in 2018.”
To add 98kW will cost just under $229,000, which will be offset by two grants the Sisters applied for and received: Solar For Good ($20,000) and Focus on Energy ($58,932). Sister Rose says the current solar array has generated about 28 percent of the convent’s electrical needs, and has saved the Community about $58,000 in utilities during its 4.5 years of operation.
If you are interested in supporting this project, please mail your gift to:
Development Office
St. Francis Convent
3110 Nicolet Dr.
Green Bay, WI 54311
All donors will be acknowledged at the solar site unless specified otherwise.
SOLAR EXPANSION: Our current solar array at St. Francis Convent is three rows of panels with an educational walking path. The proposed expansion will be four rows of panels which will be more compact because today’s panels are smaller and more efficient. (aerial image by Eland Electric; rendering by Renae Bauer)