MONROE - The Green County Family YMCA will add to its solar power system, thanks to a $100,000 interest free loan from Drs. John and Mary Frantz, Monroe. The loan is solely for the purpose of installing a photovoltaic solar system capable of producing electrical energy from the sun.
According to YMCA Executive Director Reid Stangel, the energy produced initially will be sold back to the Alliant Energy grid, because the YMCA does not have storage capabilities.
"The goal is to sell about 20,000 kilowatts per year to Alliant," Stangel said.
But the rate Alliant pays for the energy is higher than the rate the YMCA pays for electricity.
The savings in energy costs will be split to help pay back the Frantz loan.
Reid said the Frantzes' seed money eliminates the need for a loan from any other source.
The YMCA also will seek funding from "Focus on Energy" and other organizations that provide grants for renewable energy systems to supplement of cost of installation of the PV arrays.
The YMCA had cost estimates made for the project about a year ago, but will adjust the numbers and reapply for grants.
"And, who knows, economic stimulus money may be available," Stangel said.
John and Mary Frantz are longtime advocates of the sustainability of the environment and authored the book "Sustainability in Climate, Agriculture, Health, Education, Sociology and Religion."
The YMCA has benefited from the solar heating of its swimming pool since 2003.
According to YMCA Executive Director Reid Stangel, the energy produced initially will be sold back to the Alliant Energy grid, because the YMCA does not have storage capabilities.
"The goal is to sell about 20,000 kilowatts per year to Alliant," Stangel said.
But the rate Alliant pays for the energy is higher than the rate the YMCA pays for electricity.
The savings in energy costs will be split to help pay back the Frantz loan.
Reid said the Frantzes' seed money eliminates the need for a loan from any other source.
The YMCA also will seek funding from "Focus on Energy" and other organizations that provide grants for renewable energy systems to supplement of cost of installation of the PV arrays.
The YMCA had cost estimates made for the project about a year ago, but will adjust the numbers and reapply for grants.
"And, who knows, economic stimulus money may be available," Stangel said.
John and Mary Frantz are longtime advocates of the sustainability of the environment and authored the book "Sustainability in Climate, Agriculture, Health, Education, Sociology and Religion."
The YMCA has benefited from the solar heating of its swimming pool since 2003.