New Door County solar array is part of a net

BAILEYS HARBOR - A large part of a cleaner energy initiative by Lawrence University at its Bjorklunden campus in Door County is the focus of a celebration and promotion of, and education about, solar energy across the county.

Organized by the Climate Change Coalition of Door County, the Door County Solar Celebration on Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13, is highlighting the use and benefits of solar energy on the Peninsula with expert presentations and question-and-answer sessions at Bjorklunden and self-guided visits to several local solar panel arrays.

The centerpiece is the new, 217-kilowatt solar array built by Wisconsin-based Faith Technologies on the Bjorklunden campus that was commissioned by Wisconsin Public Service Tuesday afternoon and went into immediate operation. It's there not only to help the campus cut its carbon footprint but also to serve as an educational tool for its students.

The solar array is part of the Net-Zero Bjorklunden Initiative that Appleton-based Lawrence implemented to balance carbon emissions at its Baileys Harbor campus with equivalent carbon savings.

Along with the solar energy, the campus has a windmill in place and is in the design stages of a geothermal system for heat and hot water needs. The initiative also includes energy-efficient windows and lighting as well as tree sequestration − 305 acres of forested land on the property is, via easement, under the protection of the Door County Land Trust, and the carbon dioxide they remove from the air is meant to offset carbon dioxide that goes into the air on campus from vehicle drivers and other sources.

"Net-Zero Bjorklunden means reaching that goal both through technologies that eliminate the need for carbon-based fuels and through other net carbon uses (such as the tree sequestration)," Bjorklunden director Tom McKenzie said.

McKenzie couldn't say how many kilowatt-hours the array is likely to generate − it depends on the time of the year, the position of the sun and other natural factors, he noted − but he said the array, wind turbine and eventual geothermal system combined are expected to provide about $35,000 a year in energy cost savings.

Another vital aspect of the initiative is that students at Lawrence, which has programs in environmental sciences, geosciences and other related studies, will be able to learn from these energy systems. Faculty members are expecting to use data gathered from them, and from the tree sequestration, for classroom study. Research opportunities also will be available for students and staff, McKenzie said, along with educational opportunities for the public.

"What we're trying to do here is not only have a suite of technologies that gets us to net zero, but also to create a learning, living laboratory that directly connects to student activities at Lawrence University," McKenzie said. "It's ripe for ongoing study and research with our students and faculty."

The Climate Change Coalition event, which is free and open to the public, opens Friday, May 12, with presentations and question-and-answer sessions with educators, researchers and policy experts from 10 a.m. to noon at Bjorklunden, along with a walking tour of its new solar array.

The speakers are Lawrence assistant professor of geosciences Relena Ribbons and assistant professor of biology Israel Del Toro, who will provide a scientific perspective on climate change and efforts to control it while discussing the campus' Net Zero project; and Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner Tyler Huebner on the current state of renewable energy in Wisconsin and issues the state and commission are facing.

"Friday's event is about being able to connect with the community," McKenzie said.

Afterward, a series of open houses will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13, at locations with solar arrays, with representatives from the companies that installed the solar panels on hand to answer questions. These take place Friday for the new array at Bjorklunden, Friday and Saturday at a home at 7895 Church St. in Egg Harbor, and Saturday at a home at 9331 Maple Grove Road in Fish Creek.

Also, those interested can visit several Door County businesses and organizations with solar installations. The business owners may not be available to talk about them, but a press release from the Climate Change Coalition said people can see them from the roadside or parking lots.

These locations include newer installations at Unitarian Universalist Church and Ephraim Moravian Church, both in Ephraim, and Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor, along with an installation in progress at Door County Coffee and Tea in Carlsville and others at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor and Waseda Farms in Baileys Harbor.

Bjorklunden is at 7590 Boynton Lane, just off State 57, Baileys Harbor. For more information on Net-Zero Bjorklunden, visit lawrence.edu/bjorklunden/net-zero. For more on the Solar Celebration, call 920-217-4304 or visit climatechangedoorcounty.com.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or [email protected].

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