Help CHA go Solar! |
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SOLAR FOR THE SHELTER
By Mary Stenberg, CHA Board Member Chequamegon Humane Association Board Members took action at their February board meeting to accept a bid from Jolma Electric to install a solar power system at the Animal Shelter. Work on this project began last fall when Board Members met with Bill Bailey of Cheq Bay Renewables. Mr. Bailey completed a cash flow assessment for CHA by analyzing the cost and amount of electricity usage at the Shelter facility for the previous year. Mr. Bailey is very knowledgeable about solar power and his expertise has been most helpful to CHA. “New incentives for renewable energy in the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act have changed the playing field for municipalities and nonprofits like CHA. CHA can now use Direct Pay to lower project costs 40%, reducing payback times and making a project economically feasible that would not be otherwise,” says Bailey. CHA received notice this past November that their application for a grant from “Solar for Good” had been approved. This grant will cover one-half the cost of the solar panels needed for the project. The panels are state-of-the-art, bi-facial panels with glass on both sides, which allows the solar cells to collect light that bounces off the ground (or snow in winter!), boosting their energy collection. As a non-profit organization, CHA will apply for all available grants, incentives and rebates. Based on the estimates for the 15.2 kilowatt system, the total cost of the project would be $35,116. Donations needed from the community are estimated to be $16,659. Once installed, annual cost savings to CHA the first year would be $2735 which would result in substantial savings in utility costs for the Shelter. According to Executive Director, Kari Olinger, “This savings would result in more money for animal rescues and surrenders and for the health and wellness services for needed for all the Shelter animals waiting for their forever homes.” To complete the Solar Project at the CHA Animal Shelter, donations from the community will soon be accepted. One way to donate is to purchase one or more solar panels. Each panel costs $350, and all panel donors (those donating $350 or more) will be recognized. The goal is to have solar power installed by the end of August 2023. Should you wish to donate to the Chequamegon Humane Association’s Solar Power Project, go on-line to the CHA website (www.chaadopt.org) and click on the Ways to Give or Donate button at the top of the page. Then click on Solar Power Project. You may also send a check to the Chequamegon Humane Association, PO Box 93, Ashland, WI 54806. Be sure to write “Solar Project” on your check’s memo line. Any donation amount will be very much appreciated. Visit the Chequamegon Humane Association’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CHAadopt/ for more about this exciting and innovative project! 
Two ways you can support this project
1. Print off the Flyer above, fill out and send a check and mail it to the PO box listed on letter. 2. Hit the donate button below, write under + Add special Instructions section to earmark your donation for the Solar Project! Other ways to support CHAOur mission to care for animals is made possible by friends like you. To donate now, please select the donate button and indicate the amount you will like to donate. You can also make your donation a monthly one by checking the "Make this a monthly donation" box. No amount is too great or too small. If you would like your donation to be earmarked for a specific item (e.g. Sponsor a kennel cat or dog, fund a spay/neuter, or something else, indicate so at the time of your donation. Here are some ideas for specific donations:
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