Manitowoc Public Utilities is getting into the solar business with the Community Solar Program.
“What we are going to do is, work with a developer to build a one thousand kilowatt solar facility in the City,” David England a Power Supply Analyst with MPU told Seehafer News.
There is no individual roof-top installation for residents, instead, a solar garden will be constructed on City property and utility customers can support the project by subscribing to the program.
England says a customer’s bill would look a little different and may even see a lower rate for solar energy.
“As a subscriber to this project, you have a few additional line items that will show up, one will be a credit to your bill based on your share of the production of the facility that month,” he explained. “We anticipate the project rate will be lower than your residential rate. So the savings to the customer would see, is based on the difference between those two (rates)”.
The Community Solar Program allows current customers of MPU to voluntarily subscribe to a community solar facility to offset their electric consumption.
While similar in many ways to other community solar programs in the state, the MPU program differs slightly.
“You don’t have to come in with thousands of dollars to buy into this project,” England said. “You simply pay for the energy as you go”.
Any current MPU customer can join the Community Solar Program including anyone living in an apartment or rental.
Opting into the MPU “Community Solar Program” is voluntary and, if interested in joining the program, you can join a waiting list by calling MPU customer service at 920-683-4600