The MREA promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. Together with partners around the Midwest, we work to expand renewable energy adoption through innovative programs, renewable energy training, and educational events. The MREA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
About the MREA
Our Driving Forces
Our Mission
Our Vision
The MREA provides high quality renewable energy education and training. Our programs and services respond to evolving energy issues, empower people to make wise lifestyle choices, and are accessible to the broadest possible audience. We share our success with other like-minded organizations, as we are stronger when we all work together.
Our Commitment to Diversity
As proponents of the just energy transition, the MREA values justice, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and belonging. We work to ensure our organization reflects the diverse communities we serve, because we believe that we need meaningful participation from people with a wide variety of perspectives and experiences to achieve our mission.
Our History
Like many great things, the idea of the MREA began in a kitchen. Inspired by a call to action from Richard Perez in Home Power Magazine, a group of friends gathered around a farmhouse table in central Wisconsin and began planning what would become the First Annual Energy Fair—held at the Amherst fairgrounds in 1990.
Despite the threat of rain, the Energy Fair was a resounding success. Shortly afterward, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a clear and lasting mission: to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration.
Our organization grew steadily over the years, and in 1999 we established our permanent home—the ReNew the Earth Institute (REI)—in Custer, Wisconsin.
Today, the MREA manages educational programs and partnerships across the Midwest, working to grow the renewable energy market and shift public perception of clean energy from “alternative” to essential. As a member-supported nonprofit, we are deeply grateful for your continued support.
An aerial photo of the 2003 Energy Fair.
Our Home
The ReNew The Earth Institute is located in the rolling hills of Custer, WI, and serves as MREA’s headquarters, educational facility, demonstration site, and event space. It’s powered by an assortment of renewable systems, including solar electric, storage, solar hot water, solar hot air, wind, and EV charging. Host your next event at our location, and check out our equipment rentals. Guided tours are available upon request.
Learn MoreOur Team
Our work is carried out by our dedicated team of MREA staff and instructors, guided and supported by our Board of Directors and Advisory Board members. Together, we move the clean energy transition forward — creating a brighter future every day.
Emmitt Muckles
MREA Instructor
Solar + Battery ESS Technical Application Engineer | LMS Manager | NABCEP-Affiliated Trainer | Fractional Solar Educator | Certified Commercial…
Nick Hylla
MREA Executive Director
Email: nickh@midwestrenew.org Nick Hylla is the Executive Director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association where he works in partnership with…
Leon Dulak
MREA Site Manager
Email: leond@midwestrenew.org Leon, a gentleman of many trades, has worked with MREA on and off since 2011 and even before…
Jack O’Donohue
MREA Board President | Sales and Business Development Manager, Panasonic Life Solutions Co. | La Grange, IL
John “Jack” O’Donohue began his shift from commercial real estate to a green career by focusing on efficiency first. Jack…
Greta Ladenthin
MREA Training Director
Email: gretal@midwestrenew.org After leaving the MREA for a short while to pursue a career in the medical field, Greta is back…
Ali Dirul
Founder & CEO - Ryter Cooperative Industries
With more than 15 years of power system design engineering experience, Ali Dirul is a clean energy visionary, innovator, and…
Christina Nichols
MREA Board Vice President | Senior Program Director, Groundswell | Mount Rainier, MD
Christina Nichols is the Executive Director of Renewables Forward, a national organization dedicated to driving action for diversity, equity and…
Mike Joyce
Instructor, Project Engineer, Full Spectrum Solar
Mike is currently a PV Project Engineer for Full Spectrum Solar in Madison, WI, where he designs and manages both…
Cris Folk
Instructor
Cris is a self-employed energy consultant, and owner of Master Training Specialist, LLC. He provides design, installation, maintenance, and service…
Paul Gilman is a technical writer and trainer and has worked on projects for NREL and other clients since 2002.…
Brittany Waite
MREA Accounting & HR Coordinator
Email: brittany@midwestrenew.org As the Accounting and HR Coordinator, Brittany helps keep our financial accounts in check and assists in the…
Celia Sweet
MREA Engagement Director
Email: celia@midwestrenew.org Phone number: 715-900-2111 As Engagement Director at the MREA, Celia leads Membership, Events, and Outreach initiatives and oversees Fund Development,…
Jenny Conrardy
Arch Solar
Jenny Conrardy has been working in the solar industry since 2019. She is a fourth-year Electrical Apprentice in Wisconsin and…
Jenny Heinzen
MREA Curriculum Director
Email: jennyh@midwestrenew.org Phone: 751-900-2109 Jenny started her career as an Industrial Electrician, and later worked with residential wiring, farmstead rewiring, and…
Ellen Barlas
Managing Director of Education & Training, Slipstream, Inc. | Sturgeon Bay, WI
Ellen Barlas is the managing director of education and training at Slipstream, Inc. As a former MREA employee, Ellen is…
Huda Alkaff
Founder & Director, Wisconsin Green Muslims | Milwaukee, WI
Huda Alkaff is an ecologist, environmental educator, and the founder and director of Wisconsin Green Muslims, a grassroots environmental justice…
Nick Matthes
Creator & CEO, Illumination Solar
Nick is a NABCEP certified PV Installation Professional with WI master electrician and commercial electrical inspector licenses, and has a…
Robert Blake
Executive Director / Owner, Native Sun / Solar Bear | Roseville, MN
Robert Blake is the owner of Solar Bear a solar installation company located in Minneapolis, MN, the Ojibwe pronunciation is…
Kris Schmid
Legacy Solar, LLC
Kris Schmid is the founder and owner of Legacy Solar, LLC, a solar energy company that has been designing and…
Amiee Wetmore
MREA Operations Director
Email: amieew@midwestrenew.org With MREA since 2011, Amiee’s addiction to organization and multi-tasking turn out to be pretty handy at MREA. She…
Our Programs & Initiatives
Membership
MREA membership is the best way to stay involved with the MREA while supporting the future of clean energy. Available to businesses and individuals, an MREA membership has multiple benefits including free or discounted admission to some of our events, voting privileges at board elections, quarterly training discounts, and much more.
Training
The MREA is at the forefront of cultivating a skilled workforce that drives the future of clean energy. Whether you want to start a career in the renewable energy field, maintain a credential, or install solar on your home, the MREA has a variety of courses to advance your skills.
Grow Solar
This initiative helps communities make solar more affordable and accessible with group buy programs across the Midwest. Through collaboration with local partners, we offer a competitively vetted installer process, free consumer education events and resources, and additional rebates as more participants join the group buy program.
Events
MREA events are centered around renewable energy, accessibility, and fun! From our membership meet-ups, to our Demo Day workshops, to the various outreach events we attend, we strive to educate and celebrate clean energy and sustainable living through presentations, demonstrations, networking opportunities, and exhibits.
Solar on Schools
Solar on Schools aims to make Wisconsin K-12 schools a leader in solar PV. Whether a school is looking for grant opportunities or is interested in solar but unsure of where to begin, this initiative eases the solar process — creating a pathway to solar that saves money and the Earth.
Solar Jobs
The MREA supports the solar workforce through solarenergy.jobs, a Midwest solar job resource center that serves as a marketplace connecting job seekers pursuing a career in the solar energy industry with solar companies hiring in the industry. Search for solar jobs, post a job vacancy, or explore career resources.
The Rise Up Scholarship
The Rise Up Scholarship provides free solar workforce training to individuals from historically underserved populations. By bringing mobile, in-person courses to targeted communities, the program reduces barriers related to travel and cost, increasing regional access to high-quality solar training.
Get Involved
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