RENEW is dedicated to increasing access to the benefits of renewable energy for everyone in the Badger State. To accelerate the clean energy transition, we are focusing on the following key policy priorities:
Affirming the legality of third-party financing
Third-party financing is a solution to the barrier of upfront costs associated with renewable energy projects and makes ‘going solar’ an accessible option for low to middle-income homeowners, churches, government agencies, and nonprofits. Legal clarity on third-party financing is essential to expand access to clean energy. Learn more at wisolarcoalition.com.
Implementing fair and clear distributed generation policies
Breweries, farms, manufacturers, solar companies, families, congregations, and others produce clean energy that benefits the electric grid. RENEW is working to ensure that electricity is valued fairly by advocating for improvements on net metering, parallel generation rates, and interconnection rules. If we get these policies right, Wisconsin can reach its clean energy potential.
Expanding Community Solar
Community solar is a simple solution that enables residential, commercial, and large energy customers to shift to renewables and reduce energy bills. Presently, 21 states have policies supporting community solar, but Wisconsin lacks a similar framework. Learn more at wisolarcoalition.com.
Building A Roadmap for Wisconsin’s Zero Carbon Future
RENEW is partnering with Clean Wisconsin and GridLab to conduct a zero-carbon grid study for the PSC’s consideration.
Our analysis will help answer the following questions:
- What is the right mix of renewable resources in-state and out-of-state?
- What is a reasonable balance between utility-scale and distributed solar resources?
- How much transmission capacity is needed to achieve a zero-carbon future?
- What will be the health, jobs, and economic impacts as we make this clean grid transition?
Learn more about Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan HERE.
Submit a Comment in Support of the Silver Maple Solar Project
If approved, Silver Maple is expected to begin producing clean power by the end of 2025. As designed, Silver Maple would supply homegrown, affordable, emission-free electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 35,000 homes.
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Protect Rooftop Solar in Wisconsin
Net metering is a utility billing policy that enables customers who generate electricity from their own solar systems to receive a bill credit for any energy they export to the grid. This arrangement encourages residential and business customers to invest in solar...
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Regulators Allow Wisconsin Family to Host Third-Party-Owned Solar System
Public Service Commission affirms the legality of a private contract between a utility customer and a solar provider For a central Wisconsin family seeking to supply their home with affordable solar power, December 1, 2022, was a day worth celebrating. The Public...
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Supporters Of Clean Energy And Distributed Generation, It’s Time To Weigh In.
RENEW has assembled a team of experts to develop a comprehensive framework of Distributed Generation (DG) buyback rates as a counter-proposal to utility applications. DG buyback rates determine payments for ALL non-utility-owned electricity generation at the...
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Two Petitions Filed to Affirm Customer Access to Third Party-Financed Renewable Power Generated Onsite
On May 26th two petitions were filed at the Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking rulings to clarify the long-simmering issue of third party-financed renewable energy generation serving individual customers behind their meters. In one of the petitions (Docket No....
read moreRENEW’s legisltive focus includes clean energy financing, electric vehicles, community solar, third-party financing, net metering and energy storage.
Clean Energy Legislative Update • September 2025
RENEW Wisconsin is part of a coalition supporting the enactment of a community solar program. The long-awaited legislation will be introduced in the coming days to allow private developers to build and operate solar projects, creating savings for electricity customers participating in the program.
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Clean Energy Legislative Update • July 2025
One of the biggest happenings in the state legislature in the first half of this year is the passing of the biennial state budget. The original document, 2025 Senate Bill 45, became Wisconsin Act 15. What started at 1,916 pages was whittled down to a mere 195. Below are a few items that might be of interest to the renewable energy industry.
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The One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Future
On July 4, President Trump signed the sprawling and controversial One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)—a massive budget reconciliation package with major implications for renewable energy development nationwide. While the bill is complex, its impacts on solar, storage, manufacturing, and project finance are substantial, and the timelines are tight.
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U.S. House Passes HR 1
Today, the U.S. House passed a reconciliation bill eliminating key clean energy tax credits. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. This is a serious challenge for our industry, especially residential solar and small businesses.
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Clean Energy Legislative Update • June 2025
Congress began its work on a reconciliation bill, parts of which would effectively pull the rug from under the solar industry.
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Akron Solar Approved!
Earlier this week, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approved Akron Solar! This 200 Megawatt (MW) solar project will be located in Adams and Wood Counties and is planned for completion in the latter half of 2029. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Thanks to everyone who helped make this project happen, especially those who submitted comments to the PSC and told them why Wisconsin needs more solar power!
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Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Fox Solar
Public comments are open now through March 9 for Fox Solar, a 100 Megawatt (MW) solar project paired with a 50 MW battery energy storage system. If approved, the solar project will be located in Oconto County and is planned for completion in 2028. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Show your support for this project and tell the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) why you support the approval of a vital solar project in Wisconsin!
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Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Muddy Creek Solar
Public comments are open now through February 23 for Muddy Creek Solar, a 322 Megawatt (MW) solar project paired with a 300 MW battery energy storage system. If approved, the solar project will be located in Dunn County and is planned for completion in 2029. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Show your support for this project and tell the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) why you support the approval of a vital solar project in Wisconsin!
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Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Akron Solar
Public comments are open now through November 3 for Emerald Bluffs Solar Park, a 225 Megawatt (MW) solar project. If approved, the solar project will be located in Juneau County and is planned for completion in the latter half of 2027. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Show your support for this project and tell the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) why you support the approval of a vital solar project in Wisconsin!
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Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Emerald Bluffs
Public comments are open now through November 3 for Emerald Bluffs Solar Park, a 225 Megawatt (MW) solar project. If approved, the solar project will be located in Juneau County and is planned for completion in the latter half of 2027. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Show your support for this project and tell the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) why you support the approval of a vital solar project in Wisconsin!
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Action Alert: Submit Comments in Support of Porchlight Solar
Public comments are open now through August 18 for Porchlight Solar, a 163.8 Megawatt (MW) solar project paired with a 50 MW battery system. If approved, it is planned for completion in the latter half of 2028. Projects like this have a wide range of local and statewide benefits. Show your support for this project and tell the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) why you support the approval of a vital solar project in Wisconsin!
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Changes Coming to Solar for Good
Holy Spirit Parish and School Celebrates New Solar Array
On Sunday, November 9, 2025, Holy Spirit Parish in Stevens Point welcomed parishioners, families, students, and community members for a ribbon-cutting celebration marking the completion of two new solar arrays. The event highlighted the parish’s commitment to caring for creation and investing in the future of its congregation and school.
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Fall 2025 Solar for Good Grant Awards
The Solar for Good grant program has awarded over $100,000 in grants and solar panel donations to Wisconsin nonprofit organizations for the Fall 2025 grant round. Thanks to a generous donation from the Couillard Solar Foundation, the 11 nonprofits will install 911...
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Shining a Light on Sustainability: The Nature Place Celebrates Solar Ribbon-Cutting
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, The Nature Place in La Crosse celebrated the installation of a rooftop solar array that will power its programs and deepen its mission: cultivating meaningful connections between people and nature, for the benefit of both. Partners, supporters, and community members helped recognize these exciting renewable energy milestones as a manifestation of community, education, and the shared vision of creating a healthier environment for generations to come.
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Messiah Lutheran Church Celebrates a Bright Future with Solar Energy
On Sunday, May 4, 2025, Messiah Lutheran Church celebrated the completion of a 64-kilowatt solar array on its rooftop with a heartfelt dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, signifying a bold investment in creation care and the future of its ministry.
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