“You reap what you sow.” In other words, the actions of today shape tomorrow, and we must embrace change to build a sustainable, healthy future. This was top of mind when the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) subscribed to the Alliant Energy® Community Solar – Fond du Lac solar garden in 2021.
CSA’s subscription was a natural fit in their ongoing commitment to sustainability and the environment. They already had a customer-owned solar array that covered about half their electrical needs. Community solar took care of the rest.
Sister Susan Seeby said their subscription “shows we care about this community and our planet and gives us an opportunity to pay it back as well for future generations.” Check out this video and hear more from the sisters themselves.
Recently, the sisters received a national award recognizing their efforts to care for our environment. During her acceptance speech, Sister Peg Spindler explained part of CSA’s commitment to sustainability is to “reach new audiences who will be inspired to do more for the Earth.” To encourage participation in future community solar programs, the sisters welcome guests to their property for guided tours of the solar array.
Community solar programs let subscribers reap the benefits of renewable energy sources without worrying about installation and connection costs or construction on their homes or businesses. Subscribers receive monthly bill credits based on the energy the solar project produces during the 20-year life of the project. We estimate customers will make back the full cost of their subscription within 12 to 16 years.
The Fond du Lac community solar garden became operational Jan. 1, 2022, with 142 subscribers receiving monthly bill credits since February of the same year. The average residential subscriber purchased eight solar blocks of the solar garden and received about $215 in bill credits the first year.
See how much you’d save with a subscription to solar garden blocks. Simply enter information from your bill into our savings calculator for Iowa electric customers or Wisconsin electric customers.
Do you have questions about community solar? Visit our frequently asked questions page for more information.
Sisters subscribe to solar
Grant Barton
Communications Partner
Published on August 30, 2023
Grant Barton is a Communications Partner with a passion for sustainability and eco-friendly city planning. He has a diverse background in engineering, politics and international communications and hopes to apply this experience when writing and breaking down complex topics related to Alliant Energy's Clean Energy Future plans.
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