Solar Story: How Jacqui Chose Solar for Savings and Independence

When Jacqui bought her 1950s ranch-style home in Stevens Point during the pandemic, she saw more than just a house. “I am a single educator in my 40s,” she shared, and the home quickly became a place she has enjoyed tending, improving, and making her own.

Jacqui wanted her home upgrades to be thoughtful and practical. Going solar became one of those decisions, one that made sense financially, but also reflected something deeper about how she wanted to live sustainably and financially responsibly.

For Jacqui, the financial incentives and rising costs of electricity made solar an economically smart choice. But just as important was the sense of agency it gave her. As she put it, " The agency in controlling how I access power made me feel like I had some small control over the climate and my footprint in the world." That combination of financial value and personal meaning made the decision feel right.

Since installing her solar electric system, Jacqui has seen clear benefits. "I pay less to power my home and my EV than I would if I hadn't gone solar," she said, making the investment worthwhile in her day-to-day life. Her system has also sparked conversations in the neighborhood, becoming a natural way to connect with others and share her experience.

Jacqui says her experience working with Northwind Solar was exceptional from beginning to end. "From the salespeople to the installers, I felt like I was in great hands."  As an employee-owned solar cooperative, Northwind's projects are designed, installed, and commissioned by owners, creating the kind of care and accountability that customers like Jacqui can feel throughout the entire process.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing Northwind, Jacqui said, is knowing support will be there for the long term. “I occasionally have questions about the power I am producing and the app that I use to keep track of that,” she shared. “I know that Northwind will be in our community for the long term as my system and I age, and I need support.”

Jacqui said she would absolutely recommend Northwind to others. “I love that they are a worker-owned cooperative. Several of their staff members live in my neighborhood. They are good people who want to do right by their own community.” That local connection gave her even more confidence in her choice.

Jacqui’s story is a reminder that solar is both a smart investment and a meaningful one. It can lower utility costs and emissions, support cleaner transportation, give homeowners a greater sense of connection to the energy they use every day, and increase their home's value
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