Rays and Renewables

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Barron Electric Members have been receiving pockets full of sunshine since 2014 with the Community Rays Program. Community Rays, the solar panels maintained by the Cooperative, offers members the opportunity to purchase clean energy without the hassle of equipment installs or upkeep. Over 80 members see this as a renewable energy credit on their monthly bill. 

Solar Generation

Our Solar Dashboard offers members information about the energy produced from our Community Rays.  


 

Distributed Generation

Distributed generation (DG) includes standby generation, new technologies such as fuel cells and micro-turbines, as well as renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and bio-mass.
 

Community Rays

Barron Electric does not currently have Community Ray Panels available.
Interested members should contact Member Services to be added to the waiting list.   

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Distributed generation is a form of renewable energy that allows you to produce some or all of the electricity that you need. You can start producing your own energy by installing solar panels, utilizing wind, biomass energy, and more.

  • Identify and implement energy efficiency efforts in your home
  • Contact Barron Electric Cooperative for information on requirements and program details
  • Research solar and solar contractors thoroughly before investing in a system
    • Most contractors provide free estimates
    • Obtain more than one estimate and references before selecting a contractor
  • Submit application, agreement, checklist and other necessary documents to Barron Electric for approval prior to starting your project
  • Once project is completed, contact Barron Electric for scheduling of inspection, safety island test, and meter exchange

There are many vendors out there, research vendors that are NABCEP Certified, licensed, insured, have experience and references.

Energy generated will either be consumed by your home or put back on the distribution system (grid).

At the end of each billing cycle, there will be a bill statement generated. The net meter will record how much electricity you use and how much you are putting on the grid. Anything you use in your home is offset at the retail rate. If you use more than you produce, you will be billed for your usage. If you produce more than you use, you will be credited for any excess generation at avoided cost on a monthly basis.

The incremental cost of alternative electric energy is commonly referred to as the avoided cost and is generally defined as the “cost to an electric utility of electric energy or capacity or both which, but for the purchase from a qualifying renewable facility, such utility would generate itself or purchase from another non-renewable source.”

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WHERE IS YOUR ENERGY COMING FROM? 

MISO Graph

Electricity is delivered to our homes & business through a complex network of electric generation sources and thousands of miles of electrical lines.
MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) is responsible for operating the power grid across 15 U.S. states, including Wisconsin.
To view which power generating sources are carrying the load to your home,
click for a real-time display.