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University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Great example of elective pay used to help fund the Sonnentag Events Center &

Fieldhouse

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UWEC Sonnentag Elective Pay Case Study 8-6-2025

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WestCare’s 13kW solar system will save the nonprofit more than $77,000 off their electricity costs, which they plan to invest back into their community-serving programs. WestCare’s mission is to serve the community and provide services and support programs to improve urban quality of life issues that residents in the community face. By going solar with RE-volv, WestCare will be taking another step to serve their community by reducing 476,000 pounds of emissions from entering the atmosphere and serving as a leader in the community transitioning to renewable energy.

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Building community through solar! Spread clean energy and make a real change in people’s lives.

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"City of Overland Park has its first off-the-grid park, powered by solar and battery storage! Aspects of this project were funded by three federal grants: American Rescue Plan Act, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, and Community Development Block Grant. We appreciate the support of our federal lawmakers for local projects like this one!

We also learned important lessons about how to structure grant funded projects in the future in order to maximize the use of clean energy tax credits that are now available to cities through direct pay." Melissa Cheatham, City Council Member

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City of Overland Park has its first off-the-grid park, powered by solar and battery storage! Aspects of this project were funded by three federal grants: American Rescue Plan Act, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, and Community Development Block Grant. We appreciate the support of our federal lawmakers for local projects like this one! We also learned important lessons about how to structure grant funded projects in the future in order to maximize the use of clean energy tax credits that are now available to cities through direct pay.

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City of Overland Park has its first off-the-grid park, powered by solar... | Melissa Cheatham

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City of Overland Park has its first off-the-grid park, powered by solar and battery storage! Aspects of this project were funded by three federal grants: American Rescue Plan Act, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, and Community Development Block Grant. We appreciate the support of our federal lawmakers for local projects like this one!

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Solar at Baraboo High School and Middle Schools

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Solar at Baraboo High School and Middle Schools

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The solar installation will pay for itself through energy savings, rebates, donations, and IRS returns within four years of the go live date for the high school project and approximately six years for the middle school project. Direct pay amount for both projects is over $150,000.

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If the problem continues, contact the site owner.

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After putting solar to work before the IRA provisions, Maize high school seeks to add additional solar to school campus. Their community driven solar initiative can serve as a model to jumpstart a clean energy project without federal grants.

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Bergkamp to propose solar panels at more schools

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Maize High science teacher Stan Bergkamp plans to propose another stage of the Maize Solar Project at tonight’s school board meeting. Bergkamp’s proposal calls for the second phase of the project to include solar panels at Pray-Woodman Elementary, Maize Elementary and potentially Maize South High School. The new system will expand on the importance of…

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Food Pantry incorporates geothermal, EV charging, and solar!

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Food Pantry incorporates geothermal, EV charging, and solar!

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The River Food Pantry: Renewable Energy that Powers Community Growth - RENEW Wisconsin

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We advocate. We Educate. We collaborate.

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This webinar features Dr. Rose Daily, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Sun Prairie, WI (Starts at minute 8:27) Elective pay projects include clean vehicles for municipal fleets, wastewater solar PV, new facility solar PV, geothermal, community resilience center (micro-grid, electrification, battery energy storage), wastewater biosolids solar dryer.

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ICLEI USA Insights & Exchange: Success Stories on Navigating the Elective Pay Program to Fund Climate Projects | ICLEI USA

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As local governments across the U.S. set ambitious climate goals and forge plans to cut emissions, the Inflation Reduction Act’s Elective Pay process is pro…

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In Madison, WI, the city is investing in greening their municipal fleet by transitioning to light/medium duty electric vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles fueled by state-sourced biodiesel. Their procurement of EVs, installation of the charging infrastructure, and related grid work will be funded in part by reinvested Direct Pay rebates.

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Fleet Electrification in Madison - Local Infrastructure Hub

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Horizons Church is saving on electricity bills thanks to federal investments in clean energy. From The Nebraska Independent

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Lincoln church goes solar with help from Inflation Reduction Act

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Horizons Church is saving on electricity bills thanks to federal investments in clean energy.

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Loyola University Chicago, West Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL

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Clean Energy Academy, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

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Clean Energy Academy, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL

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"Between two campus buildings and with Lake Michigan as a backdrop, twenty-two geothermal wells lay hidden underground at Loyola University Chicago. Though not the only geothermal system on campus, these wells came about recently as a “project of opportunity”— while undertaking a stormwater management project that uncovered this area of campus, the university realized it was a perfect place to add additional wells. Set to power two buildings and produce 135,000 kWh, the project also qualifies for Inflation Reduction Act funding, which the university is applying for with help from the Clean Energy Academy. With the wells hidden from view, Loyola has found other ways to make the project visible to students, so the floor of the School of Environmental Sustainability reveals the inner workings of another part of their geothermal system, with educational signs to show what’s happening under their feet." Content courtesy of RMI and America is All in

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Federal Electric School Bus Credits (Commercial Clean Vehicles Credit/Alternative Fuel Refueling Property Credit)

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Federal Electric School Bus Tax Credits 101

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Join WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative for a free webinar about newly available federal tax credits supporting the deployment of electric school buses. Federal incentives like the Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles Credit (section 45W) and Alternative Fuel Refueling Property Credit (section 30C) under the Inflation Reduction Act can reduce the cost of a new electric school bus as well as charging infrastructure. School districts can access these incentives through the IRA’s elective pay mechanism, which provides a new and streamlined way for tax-exempt entities to access these tax credits.

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UndauntedK12 Map: Meet the Schools Leading on the Inflation Reduction Act

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UndauntedK12 Map: Meet the Schools Leading on the Inflation Reduction Act

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Check out UndauntedK12 detailed map showing direct pay projects in school districts across the United States and the current status.

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Meet the Schools Leading on the Inflation Reduction Act

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Veregy Celebrates K-12 Geothermal Project in Michigan in Partnership with Ida Public Schools

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Veregy Celebrates K-12 Geothermal Project in Michigan in Partnership with Ida Public Schools

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Veregy Celebrates Ida Public Schools K-12 Geothermal Project

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Veregy is proud to announce a K-12 geothermal project in Michigan through a groundbreaking partnership with Ida Public Schools.

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North Fayette Valley Community School District (IA) Case Study.pdf- UndauntedK12

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North Fayette Valley Community School District (IA) Case Study.pdf

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Climate law helps US schools install heat-pump cooling systems

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Climate law helps US schools install heat-pump cooling systems

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How this one climate fix means a school nurse sees fewer students sick from the heat

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Around 36,000 schools in the U.S. are in need of updated heating and cooling systems, according to the Government Accountability Office.

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Wisconsin schools are saving money with solar thanks to the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act-Up North News

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Wisconsin schools are saving money with solar thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act

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Wisconsin schools are saving money with solar thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act

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Wisconsin schools are saving money with solar thanks to the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act

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The School District of Black River Falls is one district in Wisconsin that has taken advantage of federal tax credits provided by the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act to install solar panels.

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RURAL MANUFACTURER EXPANDS COMPETITIVE CAPACITY WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT

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RURAL MANUFACTURER EXPANDS COMPETITIVE CAPACITY WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT

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Rural manufacturer expands competitive capacity with renewable energy grant - Resource Rural

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Explore how a rural manufacturer expanded its competitive capacity through a renewable energy grant.

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RURAL MANUFACTURER EXPANDS COMPETITIVE CAPACITY WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT

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RURAL MANUFACTURER EXPANDS COMPETITIVE CAPACITY WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT

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Rural manufacturer expands competitive capacity with renewable energy grant - Resource Rural

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Explore how a rural manufacturer expanded its competitive capacity through a renewable energy grant.

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Rural Indiana Farmer Spurs Savings Through Solar

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Rural Indiana Farmer Spurs Savings Through Solar

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When New Holland Rochester, Bauman's local farm equipment supplier, became a dealer for solar arrays, that really helped spur the family's interest in giving it a try. Dealing with someone they've come to trust for years, and learning about federal grant money that was available to help facilitate the purchase of the arrays, helped in the decision-making process.

When presented with a financial assessment for the purchase, Bauman said they realized they would make their money back on the investment within two years. They would do that by applying for a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant, which totaled about $30,000, and couple that funding with tax incentives earmarked for renewable energy investments.

The REAP program recently received more than $2 billion in funding as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed by the 117th Congress and signed by President Joe Biden.

"The grant money made it affordable," Bauman said, estimating that the farm will save more than $5,000 on electricity costs alone on its most recent array, in its first year of operation. "We sell 100% of the energy we make and buy back what we use."

The newest solar installation at Clauson Farms, which is a three-array system, provides almost all of the electricity needed for the grain operation there. The farm grows corn and soybeans. Most of the corn raised goes into ethanol production and they sell the soybeans to a company using them to produce a healthier alternative to canola oil.

"We considered the grant money, the tax incentives, the energy savings, and the depreciation, and they all played a role in the decision to purchase more solar," Bauman explained, saying the grant writing experience is tedious but doable. "It's not hard work but it's not fun. It's monotonous, and it's pretty detailed. It's something anyone can do, it's not rocket science. It's just a matter of digging up information."

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Rural Indiana farmer spurs savings through solar - Resource Rural

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A family farm in rural Indiana has dramatically cut its electricity costs by applying for and receiving a federal grant to fund the installation of solar panels. With four sets of solar arrays in all, Clauson Farms has been able to cut electrical costs and leverage tax incentives to create savings on a farm that dates back several generations.

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Rural Farm Powers Grain Elevator with Solar

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Rural Farm Powers Grain Elevator with Solar

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Rural farm powers grain elevator with solar - Resource Rural

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A rural Indiana family farm is using federal grant money to fund a large portion of their investment into a sizable solar array that will produce enough electricity to power their grain elevator. They anticipate saving at least $30,000 a year just in electricity costs. Learn more about how they did it.

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Iowa farmer Uses Federal Programs to Revitalize His Farm

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Iowa farmer Uses Federal Programs to Revitalize His Farm

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Iowa farmer uses federal programs to revitalize his farm - Resource Rural

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Dick Sloan, a retired Iowa farmer, pursued conservation farming by restoring prairies along waterways, using multi-species cover crops, and minimizing soil impact through participation in programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). With federal support from initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act, Sloan achieved his conservation goals, improving wildlife habitats and preserving soil while maintaining a significant portion of his income from conservation payments.

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OhioHealth installed two Level-2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Mansfield Hospital to allow for four vehicles to charge at once. 

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City of Columbus-Department of Public Utilities examples

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Former 112 acre brownfield turned into 1000 affordable homes, 1000 living wage jobs and 20 acres of green space and District owned geothermal energy system.

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Anaerobic Digestion Facility - Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati

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MSD is designing and constructing an anaerobic digestion facility at the Little Miami treatment plant to process waste solids from the Little Miami, Polk Run, and Sycamore Creek treatment plants, all located on the east side of Hamilton County. These solids are currently being landfilled.

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Great Decisions Paying Off: A Successful Net-Zero Energy Building in the Village of McFarland
by Kate Duffy
Last week the Village of McFarland celebrated the opening of its new Public Safety Center, likely the first net-zero municipal building in the state of Wisconsin. The building is a shared facility that will house the Fire & Rescue, Municipal Court, and Police Departments, spanning just over 56,000 sq ft. The building includes six apparatus bays and one antique fire truck bay where fire trucks and ambulances are stored. The police wing has office space, a break room, and doubles as an emergency operations center. Three kitchens, a full-service residential kitchen, and living quarters are housed in the facility as well.

All Image Credits: Jordan Schulz
Planning for Net Zero
The concept for the new Public Safety Center as a net zero building emerged in parallel with the Village of McFarland's Sustainability Plan, which helped guide and develop consensus around the inclusion of sustainable choices through design. The Sustainability Plan was the "guiding star" of the project, Village Administrator Matt Schuenke explained. This building is a great opportunity for McFarland to demonstrate their climate action leadership while committing to their new Sustainability Plan.

Partners on this project include Bray Architects, as well as HGA, which completed a Net Zero Energy Study. These Energy Study results help inform the logistics, cost questions, and design implications of how the building can be optimally designed for energy efficiency.

Through this process, the Village of McFarland learned that engaging a sustainable design specialist at the beginning of the planning process to identify energy-efficient choices was a crucial factor in designing a building that has energy efficiency embedded as a priority throughout the life of the project.

Sustainability Features

With 51 geothermal wells for efficient heating and cooling as well as solar panels that can produce up to 470kW of photovoltaic energy, the facility will produce as much energy on-site as it consumes annually, leading to its designation as a net zero facility. Strategic landscaping design utilizing native plantings and bioretention areas will reduce the water and maintenance required to sustain the facility. In addition, EV charging stations are available in the parking lot.
Learning
After completing this building, Village Administrator Matt Schuenke reflected on what they learned during the process. One piece of advice he has is to conduct a feasibility study before starting the design process so that the trade-offs between locations and other decisions are well understood before any design plans are made. The village also faced supply chain and lead time issues that have been quite common since the beginning of COVID-19. For example, the wait time for electrical switchgear was 48 weeks when the construction started whereas the bid submitted assumed 24 weeks.

Problems like these are common and persistence from the whole project team helped push toward the finish line. Matt highlighted the importance of setting specific goals early on that establish where you want to go with the project, and then pushing through cost, impact, and logistical concerns by focusing on that end goal. This focus on impactful results makes it a lot easier to excel through challenges and setbacks.
The Inflation Reduction Act Makes Going Net-Zero Easier
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is making projects like the Public Safety Center even more cost-effective. McFarland decided to move forward with the net-zero design choice because they recognized that in addition to the positive public health and environmental outcomes, the operating expenses of a net-zero building are typically lower, offsetting the upfront costs. During the building's construction, however, the federal government passed the IRA. Under the IRA, renewable energy tax credits are, for the first time, available for this project as well as others looking to integrate geothermal and solar into their buildings. These tax credits make net-zero projects like this one substantially more cost-effective; read more about what the IRA can offer similar buildings on our website.

In addition to demonstrating sustainability leadership and helping similar municipalities envision what is possible, this building is a tangible reminder that the goals in our Climate Action Plan are possible. We hope this project inspires a domino effect of energy-efficient projects around the county. May McFarland's progressive work and dedication inspire you to consider pursuing net zero when designing your next capital project.

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McFarland Net-Zero Public Safety Center | Office of Energy and Climate Change

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by Kate Duffy Last week the Village of McFarland celebrated the opening of its new Public Safety Center, likely the first net-zero municipal building in the state of Wisconsin. The building is a shared facility that will house the Fire & Rescue, Municipal Court, and Police Departments, spanning just over 56,000 sq ft.