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.
With PSC Approval in hand, Alliant’s Solar Portfolio soars above One Gigawatt
But a federal anti-dumping investigation jeopardizes solar power build-out in Wisconsin Having secured approval today from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to build six more solar power plants, Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin affiliate is on a trajectory to source 20%...
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Regulatory Approval of Koshkonong Solar Project Advances Clean Energy Transition in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the construction of the 300-megawatt (MW) Koshkonong Solar Energy Center in early April. Developed by Chicago-based Invenergy LLC, this solar project will provide enough emission-free electricity to...
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Clean Energy Advocates Weigh In On Net Metering Policy
RENEW Wisconsin, together with a coalition of Clean Energy Advocates (Clean Wisconsin, Environmental Law, and Policy Center, Vote Solar, The Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, and the Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action), submitted...
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Buyback Rates and the Business Case for Distributed Generation in Wisconsin
In June of 2020, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) opened an investigation into parallel generation (docket 5-EI-157). Parallel generation refers to distributed generation (DG) that is sited at a customer’s premises and can 1) produce energy for the...
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Join The Conversation About Potential Net Metering Policy Changes
Net metering is a billing policy that enables customers who generate electricity from solar energy to receive a bill credit for the excess energy they add to the grid. This arrangement allows residential and business customers to generate their own electricity, reduce...
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 • July 2024
Wisconsin’s primary election is an opportunity to have your voice heard on which local and national candidates you think best align with your view. This year voters also have a say in how the state decides to spend federal dollars.
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Clean Energy Legislative Update • April 2024
RENEW Wisconsin is now focused on educating candidates and voters, preparing for the August and November elections, and planning for the next legislative session.
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Clean Energy Legislative Update • March 2024
As the legislature wraps up for this session, RENEW is celebrating several victories and reflecting on some of the other renewable energy measures being considered by the state legislature. Big Win for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Senate Bill 791, the Electric...
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Clean Energy Legislative Update • December 2023
Though the year is coming to a close, RENEW Wisconsin’s efforts to support electric vehicle (EV) charging and community solar will continue into 2024. RENEW staff recently had the opportunity to testify before the Senate Committee on Utilities and Technology to share...
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Clean Energy Legislative Update • November 2023
RENEW Wisconsin is monitoring several new bills relating to solar and wind project siting, reforms aimed at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) and utilities, and a slew of proposals from the Forward on Climate legislative package. We are reviewing these...
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Submit Comments to the PSC and Show Support for Net Metering and Fair Solar Compensation Rates from Municipal Electric Utilities
Sturgeon Bay Utilities (SBU) has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to revise its parallel generation tariffs.
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Action Alert: Tell Your Senator to Confirm PSC Commissioner Tyler Huebner
The Wisconsin State Senate will vote on Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) Commissioner Tyler Huebner’s appointment this week. Help us keep Wisconsin moving forward by urging your State Senator to vote to confirm Commissioner Huebner.With the recently...
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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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Submit a comment in support of the Langdon Mills Solar project!
Langdon Mills Solar is a 200-megawatt solar project with a 50 MW battery energy storage system proposed for development in the Towns of Courtland and Springvale in Columbia County, Wisconsin. As designed, Langdon Mills Solar would generate homegrown, affordable,...
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Submit a comment in support of the Elk Creek Solar project!
Elk Creek Solar is a 300-megawatt solar project with a 76.6 MW battery energy storage system proposed in the Township of Springbrook in Dunn County, Wisconsin. As designed, Elk Creek Solar would supply homegrown, affordable, emission-free electricity to...
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Submit a comment in support of the High Noon Solar Energy Center!
High Noon Solar Energy Center is a 300 megawatt solar project with a 165 MW battery energy storage system proposed in southwest Columbia County, near Portage. As designed, High Noon would supply homegrown, affordable, emission-free electricity to power the...
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A Sunny Chapter in Richard I. Bong Veteran Historical Center’s Story
The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center marked an inspiring milestone in its ongoing mission to honor veterans with the installation of a new 20-kilowatt solar system.
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Sustaining Gilda’s Club Madison Through Solar
On Monday, January 13, Gilda’s Club Madison invited representatives from RENEW Wisconsin, Couillard Solar Foundation, Only in Wisconsin, Glow Solar, and their members to join in the celebration of a monumental achievement. Gilda’s Club with the help of its supporters installed a solar array that will offset 100% of its electrical usage.
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Fall 2024 Solar for Good Grant Awards
The Solar for Good grant program has awarded over $220,000 in grants and solar panel donations to Wisconsin nonprofit organizations for the Fall 2024 grant round. The 14 nonprofits will install 16 projects for a total of 1,000 kilowatts of solar electricity, leading...
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CESA 10 Serving Schools & Going Solar
On Friday, November 1, Cooperative Education Services Agency 10 (CESA 10) celebrated the completion of its new 124.2-kilowatt solar array during their ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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Solar Solutions for Sugar Creek Lutheran Church
On October 20, 2024, Sugar Creek Lutheran Church opened its doors to welcome congregation members, nonprofit leaders, and representatives from other houses of worship to explore its new solar system.
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