From 2019 to 2023, three solar panel arrays were installed on the north side of the Schmeeckle parking lot, largely supported by the UWSP student-led Green Fund. The panels produce enough electricity to offset about 75% of the visitor center’s annual energy use.
A Level 2 EV charging station is also available for free on a first-come, first-served basis when the parking lot is open (6 a.m. to 11 p.m.). Two cars can be charged at a time. No overnight parking is allowed.
Project Details
As part of Schmeeckle’s sustainability initiatives, a 6.1 kW solar panel array was installed in November 2019 with major support from the UWSP Green Fund, a student-led initiative that supports sustainability projects on campus. Due to the success of the first array, an additional 7.2 kW array was installed in March 2023 and a 7.3 kW array was installed in December 2023, creating a 20.6 kW system. Power produced by the solar arrays feed directly into the Wisconsin Public Service electrical grid. The total system produces about 26,000 kWh of electricity annually, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 20.3 tons per year, the equivalent of a 22-acre forest.
Project Donors
The UWSP Green Fund was the primary funder of this project, providing $76,000 in support. Additional community donors include Northwind Solar (donated the EV charging station), the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve, the Aldo Leopold Audubon Society, and Kent and Sue Hall. Northwind Solar planned and installed all of the arrays.
Real-time Energy Production
SolarEdge is the company that provides monitoring services for the Schmeeckle solar panel arrays. To view real-time energy production on the SolarEdge website, click the button below:
View Solar Energy Production (SolarEdge website)