- Who or What is Leelanau Energy?
- What is the ENERGIZE Leelanau Challenge?
- Who is Eligible to Enter?
- What Kind of Projects are Eligible?
- How Are Projects Scored?
- Are We In This Alone?
- How Do I Apply?
Who or What is Leelanau Energy?
Leelanau Energy is a group of Leelanau Citizens who have a shared interest in energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy. We are a registered nonprofit organization that educates and advocates in the interest of our vision. The ENERGIZE Leelanau Challenge is one such example.
To learn more about what we do and who we are, go the \"Who, What ...\" links at the very top of this page.
What is the Energize Challenge?
Our goal is to get people and groups of all kinds to be more aware of energy efficiency measures they can take to use less energy, AND to spread the use of clean, renewable energy far and wide across the Leelanau Peninsula.
The ENERGIZE Leelanau Challenge is a sort of competition where you come up with the ideas to move forward on these fronts. YOU tell US what is most needed, and what will work in your community. You know these things better than we do! The best of your ideas will be funded as long as the money lasts.
To be more specific, eligible projects must be in one, or both of two categories:
1. Energy Efficiency / Energy Conservation Improvements. These projects can be retrofits to an existing building, or efficiency additions to a new project. Examples are actions to reduce energy loss (closing leaks around windows and doors, adding insulation, etc.), improvements to water heating or HVAC systems that are more efficient, even replacing old inefficient appliances or light bulbs with new energy efficient versions.
- AND / OR -
2. New Renewable Energy Generation. Renewable Energy is clean energy. It keeps our atmosphere and planet clean by not using fossil fuels. The faster we get off fossil fuels and replace them with clean energy the better. We want you to help us do this on the Leelanau peninsula.
Put simply, this category is about the installation of new renewable energy generation in Leelanau County. The most common examples of \"Renewable Energy Generation\" are solar energy and wind generation. But there are others as well (you might have to do some research!). Funding requests can range from $250 to $15,000.
Who is Eligible to Enter?
Almost Everyone! Any individual, business, school, house of worship, nonprofit or governmental entity in Leelanau County. But some applications will be stronger than others. We will prioritize those applications that impact more people and those that do more good. See \"How are Projects Scored?\" below for more details.
What Kinds of Projects are Eligible?
How about a science project to design and build a solar array for your school or community center? Would your church benefit from a heat pump hot space and water heating system that saves hundreds of dollars each year? Your older government offices might benefit from an energy audit and weatherizing to help plug the energy leaks and use less energy. How about new energy efficient lighting for the retirement home in your community? Each of these projects can help save dollars and send less carbon into the atmosphere.
But don't stop here - be creative! Look around to see where your efforts, with a little help from our dollars, can go the farthest.
How Are Projects Scored?
Our scoring criteria are simple and based on the philosophy of doing the most good, for the most people, who most need it.
But officially, they are projects that:
- Reduce the amount of energy consumption or energy loss
- Increase the amount of installed renewable energy
- Impact the greatest number of individuals
- Provide lasting (or long term) benefit to individuals and the community
- Feature a realistic and achievable project plan
- Extra credit given for locally raised project funding
- Extra credit for projects benefitting low income households/communities
Are We In This Alone?
Not at all. Most likely Leelanau Energy has internal human and technical resources to help vet your ideas and get you going. Where our resources end, we'll help connect you with others who have the answers and expertise you need. To be clear though, we'll assist, but you must do the work!
Ready to Go?
First, in case you need to take some details with you,
download a FACT SHEET about the ENERGIZE Challenge Project here:
Ready to apply?
The initial application is straight forward and can be submitted online here:
Finally ...
Remember, we WANT you to submit a great project. We WANT you to find ways to use less dirty energy and more ways to generate clean energy. The foundations and organizations that have supported the ENERGIZE Leelanau Challenge want you to use their dollars for the betterment of Leelanau and our world.
We look forward to seeing your ideas!
* Please enter \"Energize Challenge\" in the subject line