MADISON, Wis. — Madison is slowly working toward an ambitious goal – make all city buildings 100% solar by 2030. At 35% currently, they have a ways to go. But the people who are helping increase that percentage are getting a boost of their own.
Since 2016, Madison’s “Green Power” trainees program has taught more than a dozen people to install solar panels on municipal buildings. The trainees get paid as city employees, but they say the experience is worth more than just cash or electrical skills.
“Every day is different,” says trainee Brooke Peterson. “We’re moving rock getting everything set up so we can get our panels on.”
For Peterson, the work is about the environmental big picture.
“It’s not just helping our community, it’s helping the environment all over,” she said.
Trainees also say its rewarding to be able to see the work they’ve done come to life.
“I get to drive past it every day and say ‘hey, I put that up,” said trainee Jose Wanta. “That’s what gets me up every morning.”
With the support of Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway, the trainees are anticipating a bright future, powered by the sun.
“Green power to me is the way to go,” said former trainee Eric Gosling, who nows works as a maintenance technician for the city. “It’s the future.”
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