Nebraskans for Solar’s February Speaker: Wayne Williams from Central City
February 12, 2020 - 7 to 8:30 pm
UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
Combined Rooms 201/205
6400 University Drive S (64th & Dodge)
Wayne Williams has been in the energy industry for the last 40 years. He served as the Director and Manager of Projects for Nebraska Public Power District’s Project Management Office. In 1996 he founded Interconnection Systems Inc (ISI), based in Central City, Nebraska.
In 2005 he left NPPD to work in his company. Since that time, he has built ISI into a national EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) company that now specializes in utility-scale distributive and industrial solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installations.
As Principle and CEO of the company, he leads a team that is working on projects across the U.S. with large national and international renewable energy developers that include ENGIE and AEP, among others.
The company installed Kearney’s solar farm located in the city’s technology park. The project currently is Nebraska’s largest community-scale solar array until Norfolk’s solar farm, paired with battery storage, will be built this year in partnership with NPPD. Interconnection Systems also installed a 10-kilowatt photovoltaic system at Duchesne Academy in Omaha, currently one of four Nebraska schools with solar. See "Featured Solar Example" below.
USDA Seeks Applications for Rural Energy for America Program
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Click the following links to learn more:
· Rural Energy for America Program/Nebraska
Additional Recommended Reading: USDA invests more than $172M in building rural Nebraska prosperity in 2019
Featured Solar Example
Duchesne Academy’s 10-Kilowatt PV System
Established in 1881, Duchesne Academy is located in the beautiful, historic neighborhood locals refer to as "Midtown Omaha". The name, dating back over a century, endures even though the middle of Omaha is now several miles to the west.
Interconnection Systems installed the 10-kilowatt solar array in 2019. Duchesne Academy has the inspiring goal to be a zero waste and net positive energy school by 2030. Special guests at our February 12, 2020 event at UNO's Community Engagement Center will include representatives from Duchesne who led the school's efforts to raise funds to complete the solar project, a process that didn’t happen overnight.