In November 2019, FUS installed a solar electric system that generates about a third of the campus’ electric use. The 83-kilowatt system supplies about 90,000 kilowatt-hours annually. That equals the consumption of nine average U.S. households. The solar project was organized by the FUS Sustainability Team, which continues to work on clean-energy improvements, both at FUS and beyond. 

While the system represents a major step forward for the congregation, it does not fully meet the team’s zero-carbon goal. The team continues to explore other opportunities to reduce fossil-fuel use on our campus.

The system also represents just a small fraction of our community’s overall energy use. We hope it will inspire more widespread interest in onsite solar for FUS members and the community. To make it easier for other congregations and nonprofits to go solar, we have started the FUS Array It Forward program in partnership with RENEW Wisconsin. Array It Forward raises funds for RENEW’s Solar for Good grants. Donations are welcome from members of the parish or other members of the public. (If donating online, use the donation dedication form to indicate Array it Forward. Checks can be sent to the address at the bottom of the page.) Click here to read about the impact of Array it Forward’s work in the community.

For more information on the FUS solar project, contact Eric Sundquist. For more information on Array It Forward, contact Nancy Vedder-Shults or Mark Shults. For more information on the FUS Sustainability Team, contact Pat Eagan or Janice Knapp-Cordes.

Solar Energy Production @ FUS

Having difficulties seeing the embedded data? Click here.