January 22, 2024, Madison, Wis. — During its 13th annual Renewable Energy Summit, RENEW Wisconsin, with presenting sponsors Arch Solar and Invenergy, will honor those who made significant and lasting impacts on Wisconsin’s clean energy industry. The Summit will take place Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Monona Terrace in Madison.
RENEW’s 2024 Summit, titled “Unleashing the Power of Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Potential,” gathers industry experts, policymakers, innovators, and community leaders dedicated to accelerating the transition to clean energy sources. Featured speakers include Tonya Hicks, CEO of Power Solutions, Inc., and Robert Blake, Owner of Solar Bear and Executive Director of Native Sun Community Power Development.
The awards are grouped under three categories:
- Clean Energy Champion: Maria Drews, Co-owner – Drews Solar
- RENEW Member of the Year: Full Spectrum Solar – Madison WI
- Energy Reporting Excellence: Jana Rose Schleis, Enterprise and Investigative Reporter – The Cap Times
The ceremony will conclude with the 2023 Clean Energy Honor Roll, in which RENEW will recognize 13 clean energy projects in Wisconsin that recently commenced operation. Whether on the basis of their productivity, innovativeness, attention to detail, scale, resourcefulness, or efficacy in reducing carbon emissions, these projects showcase the skills and know-how Wisconsin stakeholders bring to the clean energy marketplace.
Clean Energy Honor Roll:
Alliant Energy Solar Portfolio, Dodge, Grant, Green, Jefferson, Rock, Sheboygan, and Waushara Counties
Eight solar PV power plants – 639 megawatts.
- Badger Hollow, Iowa County
The largest solar PV power plant in Wisconsin – 300 megawatts.
- Bayfield County, Bayfield County
Microgrid project that integrates solar PV, battery storage, and an existing backup diesel generator.
- City of Madison, Dane County
Nine (9) behind-the-meter solar PV installations – 585 kilowatts.
- College of Menominee Nation, Menominee County
Ground-mount solar PV array – 40 kilowatts.
- Holy Wisdom Monastery, Dane County
Net-zero project featuring onsite solar, with battery storage, and ground-source heat pumps.
- McFarland Public Safety Building, Dane County
Net-zero building featuring onsite solar and ground-source heat pumps.
- Red Barn Wind Energy Center, Grant County
Wind power plant – 91.6 megawatts.
- Sheboygan Senior Community, Sheboygan County
Ground-mounted solar array & battery – 198 kilowatts.
- SolarShare Wisconsin, Juneau County
Two cooperatively-owned solar arrays – 4.5 megawatts.
- UW-Health Eastpark Medical Center Garage, Dane County
Solar PV parking canopy – 1,032 kilowatts.
- UW-Parkside, Kenosha County
Ground-mounted solar PV array – 2.1 megawatts.
- Yahara Solar, Dane County
Largest solar array built for one customer – 17 megawatts.
The 13th Renewable Energy Summit will also feature an exposition hall with nearly 50 exhibitors, breakout sessions, and industry professionals discussing current and future opportunities for advancing clean energy in Wisconsin. Nearly 100 organizations have also voiced their support of renewable energy by sponsoring the summit. For more information on the 2024 Summit program agenda, speakers, sponsors, registration, or press passes, please email Alex Beld (abeld@renewwisconsin.org).