The sun is a hot commodity in a senior neighborhood on Madison’s far west side. That’s because the sun’s energy is new every day, and it’s being harnessed to lower the monthly expenses of retirees living in Attic Angel’s Prairie Point neighborhood of homes.

So far, 50 Attic Angel homes have been outfitted with solar panels, with a plan for all 123 to receive the energy-producing enhancement. The cost of the initial investment differs by home size, energy needs, and orientation toward the sun. Various incentives, like federal tax credits, can reduce the cash outlay required. Whether the goal is to feel good from going green or from saving green, the long-term savings and sustainability leave seniors with a spring in their step year-round.

“Attic Angel is a leader [in senior living] for using renewable energy,” explains Margo Hansen, Prairie Point resident living with her husband, Dr. John Hansen. As a longtime volunteer and member of Attic Angel Association, Margo knew about Attic Angel Community’s use of solar to generate power for its nearby senior living facility starting in 2018.

Attic Angel sees the benefit of solar power to reduce its carbon footprint and its burden on the larger power grid while also keeping its own energy costs in check. The organization initially installed solar panels on just two wings of its facility, followed by a third array of panels in 2019.

Subsequently, the Hansens were among 46 families who chose to add solar to their Prairie Point homes. Shortly after moving to Prairie Point in 2022, they installed an array of 26 panels on their home, providing enough electricity to meet all of their household needs and fully power their two electric cars. They’ll even receive a check from the energy company for excess production their home creates used by other customers.

“Every month, except January, we’ve received a negative bill,” says John.

“Which is positive!” Margo interjects. January’s cold and snowy month left them with about $42 to pay out of pocket.

In June, the month with the maximum amount of sunlight, they produced 1400 kilowatt hours of electricity and saved money in three ways:

• They used 652 of the 1,400 kilowatt hours for personal electricity use, thus avoiding $85.37 in energy cost.
• The 748 kilowatt hours of excess electricity produced was sent back to Alliant Energy, resulting in a cash credit of $52.90.
• The 652 kilowatt hours used included charging their two electric cars, so they paid nothing to energize their vehicles.

Combining their enthusiasm for such bottom-line successes, love for the environment, and concern for future generations, the Hansens contributed a major gift to Attic Angel Community to establish the MJH Solar Fund, which will provide solar energy for the remaining 77 life-lease homes in their neighborhood.

“Margo and I feel a personal responsibility to support programs that increase the use of renewable energy, decrease emission of greenhouse gases, and reduce the harmful effects of global warming on the planet,” says John. Prairie Point has become the new staple of what seniors should expect when they join a senior community. There’s no age that can be reached where a person stops thinking about the future and can’t serve as a beacon to their peers. Shine on!

Kelly Cheramy is the outreach coordinator for Attic Angel Community.

Photographs provided by Attic Angel Community.

ATTIC ANGEL COMMUNITY
(608) 662-8842
atticangel.org