Wisconsin

• Solar Thermal Energy Solutions (2008)-

  This report was written by Chamomile Nusz of the Artha Sustainable Living Center. The report presents a comprehensive overview of solar thermal technology and of the solar thermal industry.

• Wisconsin: Right Place for Solar Thermal Conference-

  Solar water heater systems in the state of Wisconsin: The number of commercial systems made a big jump in 2009, whereas the market for residential systems stagnated. The photo shows a collector field on the roof of a high-school swimming pool.
  Photo: Focus on Energy

• Solar Hot Water Business Council (2010)-

  This presentation was prepared by Andrea Luecke, Milwaukee Shines’ Project Manager and outlines the potential for growth in the solar hot water heating industry in Milwaukee. The presentation describes Milwaukee’s advantages for success in this industry and gives recommendations on moving forward.

  The advantages outlined for Milwaukee were; Milwaukee has experience in manufacturing, Milwaukee companies already produce many of the components needed for solar hot water heating systems and the have Good transportation/distribution channels and facilities.

• Solar Hot Water Feasibility Study for St. Norbert College (2005)-

  This report was prepared by Solar Mining Company and funded by the Wisconsin Focus on Energy Program. St. Norbert College is located on the Fox River in De Pere, Wisconsin. At the time of this report, they had a district hot water network that uses two separate heating plants, and buildings at the end of this water system experience a loss of hot water during peak demands.

• USA: Utility Networking for Solar Thermal Energy-

  A unique network promoting solar thermal energy has developed in the USA: The Utility Solar Water Heating Initiative (USH2O) launched in 1994 offers utilities, as well as companies related to the solar thermal sector, the opportunity of concerted advocacy initiatives, and exchanging knowledge and experiences. The aim of USH2O is to facilitate the successful implementation of utility solar water heating programmes and educate stakeholders about the potential of solar heating and cooling technologies.

• USA: New Solar Service Model Introduced in Florida-

  In late October 2010, utility Lakeland Electric in Florida and California-based renewable energy service company Regenesis Power launched a new programme for the promotion of solar water heaters. The Lakeland Solar Hot Water Service offers homeowners the possibility to purchase the energy a system generates for a monthly fee, which is comparable to the monthly electricity costs for a family of four. The 2011 target is to install 1,500 solar water heaters.

• Farming the Sun: Small-Scale Solar Technologies for Agriculture -
  This document is a fact sheet on solar electricity applications and solar thermal applications for the farming sector.
   
  Download document here
• Confident Newcomers in the U.S.- After almost 20 years of stagnant markets, since 2005 the U.S. solar thermal market is exploding. According to the official governmental statistics (www.eia.doe.gov) the market rose by 77 % in 2006 to 111,480 m² (78 MW_th). After many years of winter sleep the local industry is waking up. Interesting and self-confident newcomers enter the stage.
• Wisconsin Solar Tour -

  The Wisconsin Solar Tour is an annual event that allows you to tour sites that display solar electric, wind electric, solar domestic hot water, solar space heating, passive solar design, geothermal, and other renewable energy technology.

  The sites are lived in and operated by ordinary people of Wisconsin and is part of the National Solar Tour, coordinated by the American Solar Energy Society.

  Go to website

• Cold-Climate Solar Thermal Systems (2003)-

  This document from 2003 compares two solar domestic hot water heating systems in cold climates to compare the differences. The two locations that were used were Wisconsin and Massachusetts. They used the same type of solar hot water system and broke down their findings and how specific variables affected average hot water use, average solar fraction and overall performance of the systems.

  Read document here