Co-op Energy Talk

Over the last six months, Cherryland has been working on a pilot project in partnership with the Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE) and Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) designed to make renewable energy accessible for low income members and increase the energy efficiency and quality of housing stock for those same members.

The program includes 50 low-income households in the Grand Traverse region. Eligible participants were income-qualified and underwent weatherization upgrades to their homes through NMCAA. Once determined eligible, each participant met with Cherryland’s energy use advisor for a home energy use assessment aimed at identifying ways to save energy and money.

Starting March 1, each participating member will be assigned nine (9) panel shares in the Spartan Solar community solar array located in Cadillac. Participants will receive a monthly bill credit of $0.10/kWh for the output of their panel shares or approximately $350 annually in solar bill credits.

The pilot project was jointly funded by MAE, Cherryland, and NMCAA. At the end of 2018, the project partners will report on the outcomes of the pilot and make recommendations for the expansion and future deployment of similar low-income clean energy programs. Other program goals include documented energy efficiency gains and decreased reliance on energy assistance for program participants.

Listen in as we discuss the details of this innovative pilot project with project partner Sarah Mulkoff of the Michigan Agency for Energy.

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