MREA Opens Twin Cities Office

This week MREA officially launched an office in St. Paul, Minnesota! The office is located at the Neighborhood Energy Connection, a 30-year-old nonprofit that provides energy conservation services to residents and communities around the state. MREA recently hired two Twin Cities staff members who are working on expanding our programs in Minnesota - welcome Jane Cowan & Dathan Lythgoe!

In October, Midwest Energy News announced the winners of its '40 Under 40' award program, highlighting emerging leaders working to advance clean energy. MREA's Executive Director Nick Hylla  received an award, along with RENEW Wisconsin's Tyler Huebner, John Farrell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and Sarah Wochos of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. Congrats to all!

The MREA with its partners Milwaukee Shines, the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association, and Arch Electric, Inc., achieved 84 kW of solar installations through the Solar East Side group buy program. This brings the total group buy installations in Milwaukee to 322 kW! To announce the milestone, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett joined group buy partners at a press event on October 12. Read more

We are excited to announce that we are opening exhibitor registration for MREA Business Members and 2015 Exhibitors on our new Energy Fair website at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, November 16. Register early to receive first choice booth placement and take advantage of our early bird 10% discount. We made a few changes to the grounds layout so take a sneak peek at next year’s map. We also revised exhibitor hours in response to exhibitor feedback from last year’s survey. Shortened hours are from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. (Sunday hours will remain the same at 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) If you have any questions, please contact Allison at allisonl@midwestrenew.org. Stay tuned for the opening of the new website. Read more

Share your expertise and engage with Energy Fair attendees by presenting a 50-minute workshop or demonstration on a renewable energy or sustainable living topic. We will begin accepting workshop proposals Nov. 16 on the new website - stay tuned. See the 2015 Program Guide for last year's workshop line-up. For questions contact Allison at allisonl@midwestrenew.org.

Our 2016 course schedule is online and registration is open! We have both on-site and online courses available about solar PV, wind energy, and solar thermal, from beginning to professional. Sign up for our solar PV online course progression and become elgible for the NABCAP PV Entry Level Exam by the end of spring.

Registration is now open for MREA's Solar Training Academy, held January - May 2016 in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Normal IL, and Dubuque IA. Participants learn the full photovoltaic (PV) design and installation process, no previous experience necesssary. Classes are held one weekend per month, January - May 2016. Learn more

On Saturday, October 3rd, homes and businesses around the state opened their doors to share renewable energy and efficiency strategies. Over 250 people participated, visiting 35 Wisconsin homes and businesses. Thanks to all who were involved! 

If you or someone you know is an employee of the state of Wisconsin, you can support your favorite organizations in the 2015 State Employees Combined Campaign (SECC). Please consider a gift to MREA via the Wisconsin Environmental Education Foundation umbrella. To make your pledge, follow the link based on your area: Dane County, Milwaukee, or Statewide. Learn more

The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is the single most important policy for keeping the solar market growing across the country. The Alliance for Solar Choice has launched a national campaign to get this vital policy extended and needs your help to level the playing field. Join the campaign and write your legislator:

Members, here's a logo you can add to your website!
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Adam coordinates the MREA's Site Assessment and PV Design & Sales certificate programs and works alongside MREA's training team, students, and partners to grow a regional renewable energy workforce. Prior to working at the MREA, Adam spent two years supporting nonprofit solar energy efforts in his home state of Minnesota. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of St. Thomas and a Master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. In his free time, Adam enjoys gardening, fishing, jogging & biking.

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. To learn more, visit http://midwestrenew.org.