by Sherif Halaweish | Dec 11, 2025 | RENEW Wisconsin, Solar
Over the past year, RENEW has expanded its capacity to identify and respond to local barriers to distributed renewable energy (rooftop solar as an example), with a particular focus on identifying and addressing county and town drafting of restrictive local ordinances. RENEW has developed a framework for tracking county and town activity and coordinating with installers and developers on submitting comments to local board meetings. RENEW continues to communicate with county and town boards, when necessary, to advise on policy and legal implications of overly restrictive local regulations on distributed energy resources.
As part of implementing this strategy, RENEW communicated directly with Jefferson County regarding their 2025 Solar Energy Systems Ordinance Draft, providing a detailed legal analysis of how key provisions conflicted with state law and Court of Appeals precedent. RENEW’s analysis resulted in the redrafting of the proposed ordinance. When the ordinance was presented to the County Board of Supervisors, RENEW called for comments from RENEW members and impacted installers and developers. The strategy resulted in the Jefferson County Board returning the proposed ordinance to the zoning committee for further review, to reduce restrictions on solar energy systems.
The experience has helped RENEW identify potential litigation and policy strategies to empower our advocacy for balanced local rules that do not unduly restrict renewable energy production. RENEW is communicating and coordinating with other stakeholders to lay the groundwork for future model ordinance work and to support potential litigation that can clarify local authority on regulating renewable energy siting and production.
In parallel, RENEW has supported homeowners facing Home Owner Association (HOA) barriers to rooftop solar. RENEW worked with two homeowners and prepared a legal advisory letter to the Theofila Estates HOA explaining the limited authority of HOAs under state law, demonstrating how the HOA’s rejection of south-facing solar installations based on aesthetic rules would significantly increase costs, reduce system efficiency, and disqualify projects from Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy rebate, and therefore constitute an unlawful restriction on solar.
Together, this local and HOA focused work is helping RENEW build a practical toolkit that RENEW can deploy statewide to defend solar rights and promote uniform, lawful treatment of distributed renewable energy.
by Alex Beld | Nov 24, 2025 | RENEW Wisconsin
As we enter the season of thanks, togetherness, and gift-giving, those of us at RENEW Wisconsin wanted to talk about that last one. As a nonprofit that focuses on policy and legislation that helps to accelerate the clean energy transition, we depend on the kindness of individuals, businesses, and a number of grants to keep the advocacy work moving.
There are several avenues we’ve made available to clean energy advocates to provide financial support (and ideally, a little tax break for you). Below is a quick breakdown of all the ways to give.
A One-Time Donation
The most straightforward way to give! We will gladly take any amount of money that you’re willing to part with to support our mission. At $50/year, you are officially an individual member, which gives you voting privileges during our annual board elections.
Sustaining Membership
Any monthly donation that totals $50/year over 12 months makes you a member. That’s as little as $5 a month — less than most places charge for a cup of coffee these days.
Stock Donations?!
It might sound crazy, but we also accept stocks. Have a junk stock that’s just not performing? Want to reduce your capital gains tax exposure? You can quickly and securely donate your stock to us. And just to be clear, we never touch the stock. When you support us through stock donations, they are immediately sold, and the funds go straight to the bank.
However you choose to give, we appreciate it — and if you can give this time, we understand. Whatever you choose to do, we have one other ask. When you’re talking with family, friends, or neighbors about what you can do to combat climate change, reduce pollution, or support our local economy, consider spreading the word about RENEW and how together we can make the clean energy revolution happen.
With Gratitude,
RENEW Wisconsin
by Alex Beld | Nov 24, 2025 | RENEW Wisconsin
It’s that time of year again, the one every nonprofit organization spends many a sleepless night over. Is it out of excitement for an opportunity to reach out to our supporters, dread over how much money we may or may not raise, or both? Regardless, it’s Giving Tuesday, and if you’re in the giving spirit today, we’d like to ask you to help us reach our goal of raising $15,000 in individual donations by the end of the year.
We are certain this is one of many requests you’re getting today, and we know there are many vital missions to support. It is, however, our hope that you believe, like us, that climate change is quite possibly the greatest issue facing our planet today. A donation today helps us combat the climate crisis through advocacy for policy and legislation that will accelerate the clean energy revolution.
Despite the headwinds against us, the renewable energy industry isn’t going anywhere. Nor are we! We’re committed to helping solar installers, utility-scale energy developers, and everyone in between put the pedal to the metal to reach our clean energy goals. With that said, we need support from individuals like yourself to keep RENEW going strong.
With your help, we’ve been able to develop our Net-Zero Roadmap, push renewables-friendly updates to housing codes, draft and support net metering legislation, and help gigawatts of clean energy projects secure state approval. Despite all we’ve achieved together, there’s so much more to be done. We hope you’ll stick with us and see this clean energy revolution through to the end.
Thank you for your support!
Ismaeel Chartier, Executive Director
by Alex Beld | Nov 13, 2025 | Press Release, RENEW Wisconsin
On November 12, 2025, the RENEW Wisconsin Board of Directors voted to appoint Ismaeel Chartier as the Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin. Ismaeel steps into this role after three months in the role of Interim Executive Director. Prior to his time leading the organization, he served RENEW as the Business Development Director, having started with the organization in 2023.
Ismaeel came to RENEW with a deep background in the nonprofit sector, having served at a handful of nonprofits over nearly two decades. Some highlights of his career include Executive Director of the Walworth County Alliance for Children and Executive Director of the Impact Advocacy Coalition of Cincinnati.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin,” Executive Director Ismaeel Chartier said. “This organization has walked through a season of change, and I’m honored by the trust placed in me to lead us into what comes next. The road ahead is demanding and full of big decisions, but I welcome that challenge. Wisconsin’s clean energy future will not build itself; it requires disciplined leadership, strong partnerships, and a team willing to push together. I’m committed to carrying this work forward with humility, resolve, and a steady focus on the long-term impact we can make for communities across our state.”
Ismaeel’s appointment to this position comes at a time of uncertainty for the renewable energy industry and marks the end of a transitional period for RENEW Wisconsin. During his tenure as interim, he steadied our organization and began charting a vision for RENEW’s future. In doing so, he secured the confidence of the organization’s staff and board members.
“Ismaeel’s appointment as Executive Director marks an exciting new chapter for RENEW Wisconsin,” RENEW Wisconsin Board Secretary Isaiah Ness said. “His leadership brings not only the steadiness and stability the organization needs, but also a clear and compelling vision for the future. We are honored to welcome him into this role at such a pivotal moment. Under his guidance, RENEW is poised to deliver greater value to its members, partners, and communities than ever before.”
Staff and board alike congratulate Ismaeel on the removal of interim from his title and are glad he agreed to take on the responsibility of leading our organization. Now, we look ahead to the future and all that we can build together.
by Alex Beld | Nov 11, 2025 | RENEW Wisconsin, Solar
Earlier this year, Congress and President Trump pushed the One Big Beautiful Bill through the federal government. The massive budget reconciliation package did many things—one in particular directly impacts the residential solar industry.
After December 31, 2025, homeowners will no longer be eligible for the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D). This applies to residential solar and a few other clean energy technologies. The tax credit will only be available for projects that are fully installed, operational, and legally interconnected by the December 31 deadline. This is the most conservative interpretation of the requirements. We recommend consulting a tax attorney to get the most up-to-date information.
Many solar installers are booked through the end of the year and even well into 2026. At this point, if you are not already working with an installer, we recommend that you exercise caution about any business that tells you they can complete the project in time for you to get the tax credit.
If you are still in the market for solar, please consider looking through our list of business members to find a reputable company. Some of our members are even offering discounts on installations for 2026 to make up for the loss of the tax credit. When pursuing solar power, we recommend you get multiple quotes and use a local installer. You can review our map of installers here.
by Alex Beld | Nov 11, 2025 | Public Service Commission, RENEW Wisconsin, Utilities
Earlier this year, Alliant Energy, Xcel Energy, and Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) filed applications for electric rate increases with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC). The rate applications included other changes to utility programs and options like electric vehicle programs, language modifications to rooftop solar programs, changes to Time-of-Use (TOU) programs, and more. The changes proposed by utilities for clean energy programs caused RENEW to request and receive party status to participate in these three rate cases.
RENEW and all other parties to these cases were involved in negotiations with Alliant and MGE. Separately, both utilities were able to reach settlement agreements with all parties in their cases, and subsequently Alliant and MGE asked the PSC to approve the settlements. The settlements, as negotiated by all parties in these cases, would reduce the size of the rate hikes, improve support for customer programs, and improve access to clean energy options.
On November 6, 2025, the three Commissioners at the PSC verbally took up the proposed Alliant rate case settlement, and authorized the full agreement with no modifications. A decision on the MGE case is expected later this November.
RENEW and other parties who regularly intervene in these cases often take the opportunity to discuss contested issues with utility representatives, and work towards compromise where possible. The PSC has a long history of approving most utility proposals, so these settlement opportunities are essential for organizations, like RENEW, to have a seat at the table and directly influence the decision-making process. For RENEW, these opportunities allow us to prioritize policy issues, create new customer options, collaborate on future changes, and have a hand in final design of utility-proposed modifications to ensure clean energy options will remain technically and economically viable.
Alliant Settlement Points
Compromise on the Increase to residential customer charges:
- Alliant agreed to reduce the increase to residential customer charges as it originally proposed. Alliant originally proposed increases from $15 to $20 in 2026. The settlement reduces the proposed increase, which will increase the customer charge to $16 in 2026 and to $17 in 2027.
Collaboration on Electric Vehicle (EV) Programs:
- After removing some options for residential EV programs, Alliant agreed to have at least six meetings over the course of 2026 and 2027, with RENEW and interested parties, to discuss the implementation of an EV Program. The objective of these meetings will be to review program participation and performance, and EV program interaction with other Alliant programs, such as the Time of Use (TOU) and residential Distributed Resource (DR) programs.
- EV Residential Program: Alliant Energy will launch a new residential EV program offering a $500 rebate for Level 2 chargers purchased through its online marketplace. Per the settlement agreement, RENEW can collaborate with Alliant to add additional charger models commonly used by installers if they are not currently listed.
- EV Fleet Program: Alliant will also launch a fleet advisory program with 20 participating businesses and nonprofits. The program helps organizations assess whether transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles makes financial sense and provides guidance on next steps toward electrification.
Collaboration on TOU Outreach Initiative:
- Alliant agreed to draft a Time of Use (TOU) branding, marketing, and outreach plan by March 15, 2026, and meet with RENEW and interested parties at least twice during 2026 to consider plan revisions and implementation details.
- As part of its broader branding, marketing, and outreach plan, Alliant agreed to consider rewards, incentives, or other ways to incentivize those who join the TOU program efforts alongside its new residential Demand Response (DR) program (see details below).
- Alliant agreed to improve the quality of residential data access, including quick integration into Alliant online tools for residential customers, with spreadsheet downloads that will easily integrate into customer analytical tools. Improved online tools and residential customer options will be available by June 1, 2026.
- Alliant agreed to have at least two meetings with RENEW and interested parties during 2026 related to improving Alliant’s online platform that supports TOU customers.
Collaboration on Residential DR Program:
- To support its new program, Alliant agrees to draft a residential DR program branding, marketing, and outreach plan by March 15, 2026, and meet with RENEW and interested parties at least twice during 2026 to consider revisions and implementation details.
- Beyond PSC reporting, Alliant agreed to provide event reporting on its website, with details on when events are called and customer savings that occurred due to Alliant’s DR program.
Collaboration on PSC 119 Interconnection Issues:
- Alliant agrees to joint meetings with RENEW and solar installer members at least twice in 2025, along with an additional two meetings in 2026. The purpose of these meetings will be to identify issues that are adding costs and time to solar interconnections in Alliant’s Wisconsin territory, discuss compromises and potential solutions, and discuss agreements that resolve these issues.
