Solar electric system to help environmental education center protect the environment

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (February 7, 2005) - The Urban Ecology Center has installed an eight kilowatt (kW) grid-connected solar electric system to cut energy consumption and gain energy independence. The system, installed by H&H Electric of Madison, is expected to generate 9,629 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year - enough to prevent 23,110 pounds of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year.

"As electricity prices continue to rise and the costs of renewable energy systems fall, a growing number of Wisconsin residents and businesses use renewable energy systems to reduce their utility bills and keep our air and water cleaner for future generations," said Don Wichert, program director for Focus on Energy's Renewable Energy program. "Focus on Energy has a network of experts across the state and offers a variety of programs to help anyone plan, finance and install renewable energy systems."

The Urban Ecology Center (www.urbanecologycenter.org) was able to install the solar electric system with technical assistance as well as the help of a $14,444 Cash-Back Reward from Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Renewable Energy program. By supporting Wisconsin's renewable energy marketplace, Focus on Energy's Renewable Energy program has made the sun, wind, water and organic materials a bigger part of Wisconsin's energy mix and has helped ensure that Wisconsin's residents and businesses have reliable and affordable sources of energy. Interest in renewable energy systems is growing rapidly. Between April 2002 and December 2004, 228 renewable energy projects have been completed with the assistance of the Renewable Energy program, awarding users over $1,524,510 and reducing energy consumption by more than 4,118,901 kWh and 36,904 therms.

For more information about Renewable Energy programs, call Focus on Energy at
800-762-7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com.

About the Focus on Energy Renewable Energy Program
Focus on Energy is a public-private partnership that provides energy efficiency and renewable energy information and services to the state's energy utility customers. Focus on Energy's Renewable Energy program seeks to raise awareness, provide training and financing, enhance marketing, promote technical assistance and support the installation of renewable energy technologies across Wisconsin.

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