Thank you!

In a year like this, as turbulence touches almost every aspect of our lives, we are grateful for your support of RENEW Wisconsin and our shared work to expand renewable energy. Despite many challenges, from supply chains to shutdowns, health crises and more, the renewable energy industry is stronger than ever in Wisconsin.

With our economy facing record levels of unemployment, Wisconsin solar installers remained busy in 2020. Focus on Energy accepted over 2,000 reservations for residential solar projects, approximately double the previous year. And Wisconsin’s largest solar farm, Two Creeks (150 MW), was energized in November, doubling Wisconsin’s solar capacity.

This year RENEW focused on ensuring that renewable energy businesses and champions in Wisconsin could continue their work advancing solar, wind, biogas, geothermal, electric vehicles, energy storage and more. And we educated the public and decision makers to ensure that distributed generation can compete on an even playing field with other energy sources. 

What’s next…

In 2021 and beyond, we will advocate, educate, and collaborate to:

• Spread the benefits of clean energy throughout Wisconsin by working towards better policies for distributed generation
• Increase solar on nonprofits, homes, and businesses through RENEW’s Solar for Good and MadiSUN programs
• Advance utility-scale solar and wind projects and educate Wisconsin communities on their environmental, health, and economic benefits
• Push for pilots of electric vehicles, energy storage, biogas, and beneficial electrification to create best practices and get these markets to scale
• Build a “chorus of voices” from key stakeholders and bipartisan leaders to ramp up the clean energy transition underway
• Create jobs in these growing industries all across Wisconsin, and work with partners to educate youth about opportunities to make a positive difference with a career in clean energy

Your support will help us jump-start our efforts in 2021 as we build on this year’s progress.  Together, we can accelerate homegrown, healthy, and smart renewable energy in Wisconsin!

Heather Allen • Executive Director

2020 HIGHLIGHTS

• RENEW hosted the 9th Annual Renewable Energy Summit in January, bringing together nearly 600 renewable energy industry professionals, utility leaders, government officials, students, and advocates.
• RENEW Wisconsin, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, and Sierra Club released the Wisconsin Clean Energy Toolkit: Developing a Clean Energy Plan for Your Community.
• In March, Governor Tony Evers appointed Tyler Huebner to serve on the Public Service Commission (PSC).
• The Solar Energy Industries Association formally welcomed RENEW Wisconsin as an official state affiliate.
• The PSC approved three Xcel Energy electric vehicle (EV) programs.
• RENEW led a subcommittee of the Wisconsin Energy Distribution and Technology Innovation Report, advocating to improve and update Wisconsin’s interconnection rules for distributed generation.
• Hundreds of RENEW supporters submitted recommendations to Governor Evers’ Climate Change Task Force to expand Focus on Energy, affirm third party ownership, and build electric vehicle infrastructure.
• In August, RENEW Wisconsin named Heather Allen as Executive Director. 
• MGE energized a 5 MW solar farm in Middleton, producing power for Shared Solar subscribers and two local government bodies.
• Round two of Wisconsin’s VW Mitigation Program Transit Capital Assistance Grants were announced, allowing Racine to purchase 8 electric buses.
• In September, RENEW hosted a Clean Energy Week Webinar Series, bringing together clean energy industry experts and nearly 200 attendees.
• The PSC approved $7 million in funding (increased from $5 million) to be awarded through the 2020 round of the Energy Innovation Grant Program.
• In November, the 150 MW Two Creeks Solar Park was energized, effectively doubling the amount of solar generating capacity in Wisconsin to 300 MW.
• RENEW won a grant to support clean energy access for moderate income families, allowing hundreds of Madison residents to enlist in shared solar.
• The PSC approved the 149 MW Jefferson County Badger State Solar Farm in January and the 200 MW Kenosha County Paris Solar Farm in December.

2020 IMPACT

FINANCIALS

Our financial performance has enabled us to grow our staff from three employees to eight employees in the past six years, establish an endowed internship focused on energy, analysis, and policy from the University of Wisconsin, and strengthen RENEW Wisconsin’s ability to drive our mission of leading and accelerating renewable energy! Your support allows us continue growing and advancing a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant Wisconsin powered by renewable energy.