Solar Power Hits the Big Time in Wisconsin

by jboullion | Jan 14, 2016 | Uncategorized

Immediate release
January 14, 2016

More information
Tyler Huebner, Executive Director
608.255.4044 x 1
tyler.huebner@renewwisconsin.org

Solar Power Hits the Big Time in Wisconsin 

Newest Large Array Energizes Waukesha County Manufacturer

In yet another demonstration of solar energy’s growing appeal to commercial and industrial customers, Letterhead Press recently joined the growing roster of Wisconsin companies turning to the sun to power their operations.

Located in New Berlin, Letterhead Press now derives about 25% of the electricity consumed at its 120,000-square foot facility on Ryerson Road from a 300 kilowatt (AC) solar array. Situated on a parking lot behind the production facility, Letterhead’s array was the fourth largest solar system installed in Wisconsin last year (see table below), and is now the largest in Waukesha County.

The facility was dedicated Tuesday at an event organized by Letterhead Press and featuring remarks from Letterhead Press CEO Mike Graf, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow, New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament, Sun Peak (the solar project developer and contractor), Focus on Energy, the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and RENEW Wisconsin.

“2015 was a banner year for solar generation in the Badger State,” said RENEW Wisconsin’s Executive Director Tyler Huebner. “Growth was especially strong among larger customers looking to take advantage of solar power’s declining costs to help them control their escalating energy expenses.”

Solar was the fastest growing generation resource in Wisconsin in 2015, expanding from 18 megawatts (MW) at the beginning of the year to more than 25 MW at year’s end. Solar power expanded even more vigorously elsewhere in the United States, with 7,500 MW–the equivalent of Wisconsin’s increase 1,000 times over–coming on line last year.

In addition to being a cost-effective source of electricity for business and institutional customers, solar power supports a national industry that employs more than 208,000 people, according to the most recent solar jobs report conducted by The Solar Foundation. Solar industry employment grew 12 times faster than the overall U.S. workforce. About 1,900 solar jobs are located in Wisconsin, according to the previous year’s report.

Letterhead Press will be one of several dozen solar generation owners recognized at RENEW Wisconsin’s fifth annual Renewable Energy Policy Summit set for Thursday, January 21, 2016, at Monona Terrace in Madison. The theme of the event, “Shaping the Utility of the Future,” will delve into the rapidly changing electric utility environment and examine business models under which utilities and customers can work bring more clean energy into the Wisconsin energy mix.

For more information on the 2016 summit program agenda, speakers, and registration, please visit   http://renewwisconsin.org/2016_Summit/

Keynotes and Agenda Set for January 21st Renewable Energy Policy Summit

by jboullion | Jan 6, 2016 | Uncategorized

Immediate release
January 6, 2016

More information
Tyler Huebner
Executive Director
608.255.4044 x 1
tyler.huebner@renewwisconsin.org

Keynotes and Agenda Set for January 21st Renewable Energy Policy Summit

Event Aims to Shape the Utility of the Future

RENEW Wisconsin will host its fifth annual Renewable Energy Policy Summit on Thursday, January 21, 2016,  at Monona Terrace in Madison. The theme of the event, “Shaping the Utility of the Future,” will delve into the rapidly changing electric utility environment and examine business models under which utilities and customers can bring more clean energy into the Wisconsin energy mix.

The event will feature two excellent keynote speakers:

Mary Powell, President and Chief Executive Officer for Vermont-based Green Mountain Power (GMP) corporation, an investor-owned utility. As CEO of this utility, Mary initiated and implemented a strategic and comprehensive restructuring of GMP to provide low carbon, low cost, and reliable power to its customers. GMP is the first utility in the world to become a member of B Corp, showing a commitment to use energy as a
force for good.

 James Tong, Vice President of Strategy and Government Affairs at Spruce Finance, where he leads industry-wide efforts to accelerate deployment of solar energy. He has helped popularize the idea of “grid neutrality” and is a recognized expert on utility integration of distributed energy resources. 

After the opening keynote, three panelists representing Wisconsin electric providers and suppliers will offer their insights into the opportunities and challenges for expanding clean energy development in Wisconsin.   The panel will feature:

– Deb Erwin, Regulatory Policy Manager, Xcel Energy (WI)
– Brian Rude, Vice President of External and Member Relations, Dairyland Power Cooperative
– Kevin Westhuis, Utility Director, River Falls Utilities
The panel will be moderated by Eric Callisto, a Partner with the law firm of Michael Best and Friedrich LLP, and former Commissioner on the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

Between lunch and the afternoon keynote, RENEW will recognize the most noteworthy clean energy installations built in 2015.

Titled “Driving Markets,” the afternoon panel will feature four representatives of renewable energy industries active in Wisconsin. 

– Steve Dvorak, president, DVO, Inc. a biogas digester firm (Chilton)
– Adam Gusse, vice president, H&H Solar (Madison)
– Amy Heart, senior manager, public policy, Sunrun, Inc. (Milwaukee) 
– Chris Kunkle, Regional Policy Manager, Wind on the Wires (St. Paul, MN)

The panel will be moderated by Susan Crawford, attorney with Cullen Weston Pines & Bach, and a member of RENEW’s Board of Directors.

RENEW Wisconsin’s Executive Director Tyler Huebner says, “We chose this year’s theme to re-start the conversation on the direction of Wisconsin utilities and clean energy.  Wisconsinites want more homegrown, renewable energy and our utilities can be winners from the transition, if they can adapt to the technological innovation and evolving customer interests taking place around them.  We’re bringing in two of the best leaders in the country as our keynote speakers to explain this transition: Mary Powell, who as a utility CEO is about 5 years into this evolution at Green Mountain Power, and James Tong, who is a thought leader on how the electric grid itself may need to evolve to enable a more widespread, distributed power future.”

Registration rates are $115 for members of RENEW Wisconsin and $145 for non-members. The rate for government employees is $85 and for students is $35. Membership with RENEW starts at $35 for individuals and $200 for businesses and organizations.

For more information on the 2016 program agenda, speakers, and registration, please visit  
http://renewwisconsin.org/2016_Summit/

Madison Community Foundation Supports New RENEW Wisconsin Endowment for an Energy Analysis and Policy Student Intern

by jboullion | Nov 24, 2015 | Uncategorized

For immediate release                
November 24, 2015                   

More Information
Tyler Huebner, Executive Director
608.255.4044
tyler.huebner@renewwisconsin.org

Madison Community Foundation Supports New RENEW Wisconsin Endowment for an Energy Analysis and Policy Student Intern

RENEW Wisconsin (RENEW) has been awarded a 33% cost sharing grant of $34,000 from the Madison Community Foundation. The grant will fund a
perpetual endowment to support a UW-Madison Energy Analysis and Policy
(EAP) student intern working at RENEW.

“This grant is a perfect match between RENEW and the UW-Madison’s EAP program supporting RENEW’s renewable energy policy research. The Madison Community Foundation support allows us to permanently hire an impassioned student from one of the top energy graduate programs in the country to analyze policies that will spur the use of clean renewable energy in Wisconsin,” said Tyler Huebner, RENEW’s executive director.

RENEW has a history of hiring EAP student interns who have worked on cutting edge renewable policy issues such as third party financing, utility rate cases, community solar, and more.

Don Wichert, a major donor to the endowment, RENEW Board Member, and 1987 graduate of the EAP program, praised the Madison Community Foundation in supporting this permanent support of the EAP program.  “This grant will help RENEW leverage other EAP alumni and RENEW member support setting up a great opportunity to work together for RENEW and the EAP program. This program will allow the EAP program to recruit the top students in the country to work on cutting edge renewable policy issues with RENEW,” said Wichert.

“This project furthers two of the Madison Community Foundation’s key goals – to help steward the environment and to inspire philanthropy.  RENEW Wisconsin’s endowment campaign will create a sustainable fund to attract bright students and help them develop real world experience through critical analytical and policy analysis.  It is a perfect way to celebrate RENEW’s 25th anniversary and enrich their environmental programming,” said Tom Linfield, Madison Community Foundation Vice President of Community Impact.

—–End—-

RENEW Wisconsin leads and accelerates the transformation to Wisconsin’s renewable energy future through advocacy, education, and collaboration.

Madison Community Foundation uses its local knowledge and assets to inspire giving, support meaningful initiatives, and connect people for the common good. Since 1942, foundation staff have helped people realize their philanthropic goals, allowing them to support charitable interested anywhere in the world. The community foundation also awards grants throughout Dane County to build communities. More information is available online at www.madison comunityfoundation.org.

RENEW Wisconsin Statement on Madison Gas & Electric’s 2030 Framework

by jboullion | Nov 18, 2015 | Uncategorized

Today, Madison Gas & Electric announced a framework that includes expanding the company’s investment in renewable energy to meet 30% of their electricity needs by the year 2030.

In addition, the company indicates a plan to give customers more control, and continue to engage the customers and communities they serve going forward.

“This new framework is a good step forward for Madison Gas & Electric Company and for the communities they serve.  MG&E’s goals of providing 25% renewable energy by 2025 and 30% by 2030 are achievable,” said Tyler Huebner, Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin.

“We agree that ongoing collaboration will be needed to identify the best ways to meet the goals of this new framework.  Ensuring customer opportunities to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and incorporating equity, fairness, and control over

customer bills, should continue to be part of the conversation and collaboration going forward.”

MGE has made more information available at mge.com/Energy2030.