STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Stevens Point’s Parks department is working to install a new solar array in Emerson Park, which will be able to supply enough power for a new community building in that area.
Mayor Mike Wiza says the final touches on the multi-purpose building are being completed thanks to a donation to the city. Once that’s complete they’ll apply for a grant to help install the solar panels. “[We’ll be able to] basically take it off the grid. There is nothing more exciting than not having to pay a utility bill while also doing wonderful things for the planet too.”
Wiza says there’s no set timeline for when the Emerson Park array will be in use but he does expect it to be online by next summer. He adds that it’s very likely the city will be able to sell energy back to WPS when the building is not in use.
The building and solar panel are all part of the Emerson Park master plan, which is available on the city’s YouTube channel.
Wiza says the move goes along with other efforts that he and other leaders have undertaken in the past to help decrease the city’s carbon footprint and save taxpayer dollars on utility costs. Those include other solar arrays and the repurposing of methane and other gases at the city’s wastewater facility. The city has also invested in hybrid police vehicles.
The city is also home to several public electric vehicle charging stations, including two Tesla chargers that were installed with help from a local Telsa driver’s club.
Other topics Mayor Wiza discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- accomplishments over eight years in office
7:20- US Senior Open recap
12:15- efforts to create a “green” city
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