Established in 1990, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. Our initiatives, programs, and events create a brighter world every day. Join us in the Midwest energy transition by becoming an MREA Member, attending our events, enrolling in our training courses, or supporting our mission through a tax-deductible donation.
Our Driving Forces
Our Mission
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.
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 Programs & Initiatives
Events
MREA events are centered around renewable energy, accessibility, and fun! From our annual Energy Fair to the various outreach events we attend, we strive to educate and celebrate clean energy and sustainable living through workshops, demonstrations, networking opportunities, and exhibits.
Training
The MREA is at the forefront of cultivating a skilled workforce that drives the future of clean energy. Explore our accredited solar training programs designed for both online and hands-on learning.
Membership
An MREA Membership is the best way to stay involved with the MREA while supporting the future of clean energy. Available to businesses (private/nonprofit) and individuals (annual/lifetime/students/65+/low-income), an MREA Membership has multiple benefits including free admission to The Energy Fair, voting privileges at board elections, quarterly training discounts, and much, much more!
Grow Solar
The Grow Solar initiative helps communities make solar more affordable and accessible with group buy programs across the Midwest. Through collaboration with local partners, Grow Solar offers a competitively vetted installer process, free consumer education events and resources, and additional rebates as more participants join the group buy program. We offer the opportunity to learn if solar is right for you.
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!
Solarenergy.jobs
Solarenergy.jobs is 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 today!
The Rise Up Podcast
The Rise Up podcast brings real-time, relevant energy and policy information to Midwest stakeholders. Episodes share opinions, recent news, engaging interviews, relevant resources, strategies, Midwest success stories, and actions you can take.
About Us
Like most good things, the idea of the MREA began in the kitchen. After reading a call to action by Richard Perez in Home Power Magazine, a group of friends took to the local farm kitchen and organized The First Annual Energy Fair, to be held at the Amherst, WI fairgrounds in 1990.
Despite a rainy forecast, the Fair saw tremendous success. Shortly after, the MREA was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with an unwavering mission to “promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration.”
We grew steadily, and in 1999 we moved to our permanent headquarters, the ReNew the Earth Institute (REI), in Custer, Wisconsin.
We now manage education programs and partnerships throughout the Midwest in an effort to expand the market for renewable energy, making this once “alternative” energy our foremost option. We are a member-supported organization; we appreciate your support.
Custer, WI
7558 Deer Rd. Custer, WI 54423
info@midwestrenew.org
715-592-6595
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.
Our team is made up of a dedicated group of staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Board members, and instructors.
Get Involved
Our Badges
