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Lions Tale May 21, 2019
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Next Meeting - Tuesday June 4, 2019, on the Mezz at Festival Foods, at 11:30 AM. This is our Business Meeting for June. Likely business will include update on Aug. trip to Lions Camp. Not much else going on at the moment, but no doubt someone will think of something. There are a couple of Golf Outings coming up, for those inclined to pursue small white balls over the river and thru the trees, bushes and all types of grass and other landscape features, flailing at them with odd-shaped instruments and uncertain results.
At the last meeting, it was reported that PDG and Council Chair Lion JODI did not win the District 27 endorsement for International Director. This is a major disappointment for all of us, but it does not diminish the amount of effort that Lion JODI has given or the results she has secured. Lion service endures, regardless of boards, offices and such, and it endures because of energetic and enthusiastic individual Lions like JODI.
MadiSUN program manager, Sam Dunaiski, provided an interesting program on the current situation in various means of energy production, focusing on solar power.
RENEW Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that educates about and promotes renewable energy including solar power and wind power.
MadiSUN is a City-led initiative administered by RENEW Wisconsin that provides education and financial incentives for homeowners, landlords, and business-owners in Madison to install rooftop solar electric systems.
Sam grew up outside of Duluth, went to school at UW-Madison (meteorology).
Total of 3 programs as part of MadiSUN.
Myth #1: WI isn't sunny enough. It's much more sunny than Germany and NW USA.
Germany - 12%-15% of their energy comes from solar.
Wisconsin - only about 0.6% today from solar.
Myth #2 - solar panels are fragile. They can withstand 140 mph winds, golf-ball size hail and panels melt snow so it slides off. solarpowerrocks.com.
Myth #3 - solar is too expensive. Installed costs are down 75% since 2009. Better technology & economies of scale / mass production. (The cost is just under $2/watt installed … avg cost of utility scale solar and rooftop solar),
South (ish) facing roofs without much shade are best for solar panels.
Panels last about 25-30 years. It is best to have a new(er) roof so the roof doesn't need to be replaced before the panels do.
Residential:
5 kW array is about $14,650.
Focus on Energy rebate: -$1,758.
30% federal tax credit on remaining cost of system: -$3,868 … investment tax credit … this is the last year for the 30% credit.
Net out-of-pocket cost for 5KW residential solar electric system: $9,024.
MadiSUN … new this year: “Neighborhood Solar Program”.
MadiSUN helps simplify the process … walks homeowners through the process. They have helped over 100 homes so far.
MadiSUN also has a business program - they provide education and guidance.
MadiSUN “Backyard Solar Program” - city-funded grants to help non-profits, community centers and low-income housing.
About 8-10 year payback for residential.
About 4-5 year payback for businesses.
A lot to consider here - the future probably has solar panels on the roof overhead for many of us.
Calendar for June:
• June 6 - Lions Eye Bank Golf Outing
• June 8 - Boscobel Lions Golf Outing
• June 18 - Program Meeting
• June 19 - McFarland Lions Food Cart Frenzy
• June 20 - McFarland Lions Golf Outing
• June 25 - Board Meeting
• July 5-9 - LCI International Convention in Milan, Italy
• July 13 - Fitchburg Lions Beer stand at Festival of Speed - looking for help