MREA Honored at RENEW Energy Policy Summit
The Solar East Side group buy was one of 10 solar initiatives in 2015 singled out by RENEW Wisconsin for special recognition at its annual policy summit last week.
Madison, WI- The Solar East Side group buy, a partnership between Milwaukee Shines and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, was one of 10 solar initiatives in 2015 singled out by RENEW Wisconsin for special recognition at its annual policy summit last week. Last year MREA collaborated with project partners Milwaukee Shines and Arch Electric to install 84 kW of solar on 26 homes in Milwaukee’s East Side neighborhoods.
According to RENEW Program and Policy Director Michael Vickerman, 2015 was a breakout year for solar generation in Wisconsin, with more than seven megawatts of solar coming online. The largest and most innovative of these installations were highlighted at RENEW’s 2016 Energy Policy Summit in an Honor Roll presentation.
Said Vickerman: “Initiatives like the East Side Milwaukee Group Buy testify to the appeal of clean energy in Wisconsin at the grassroots levels. They also showcase the talents and know-how of the clean energy contractors, designers and service professionals who clearly love what they do and what their industry is about. That attachment to their work is clearly reflected in the beautiful projects they build, and the exceptional quality of service they provide to their customers.”
MREA was honored for its innovative and collaborative approach for bringing solar to Milwaukee communities. The program’s success hinges on educating community members about their solar options and encouraging them to take advantage of the power of volume purchasing. Navigating through the solar market can be intimidating for some prospective customers. MREA and partners worked to provide free information sessions to community members to answer any and all questions when it came to installing solar.
Since the program’s start in 2013, MREA and Milwaukee Shines have added 322 kW of solar serving 90 residences and businesses. Elsewhere, MREA has successfully managed several solar group buys, and is currently running a group buy program for Champaign County, Illinois.
The following MREA member projects were also honored at the Summit: Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, Central Waters Brewing Company, Organic Valley, Sun Peak, H&H Solar, Energize LLC, North Wind Renewable Energy, Kettle View Renewable Energy LLC, Full Spectrum Solar, and Convergence Energy.
For a full listing of projects visit: http://renewwisconsin.org/2016_Summit/presentations.html
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization. Founded in 1990, the MREA promotes renewable energy and sustainable living through education and demonstration and hosts The Energy Fair. To learn more, call 715-592-6595 or visit www.midwestrenew.org The Group Buy Program is brought to you by the MREA with support from promotional partner the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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