Renewable Energy at the MREA Campus
2025-09-19 16:00 - 16:40 (America/Chicago) | Midwest Renewable Energy Association, 7558 Deer Rd, Custer, WI, United States
Join the Midwest Renewable Energy Association on Friday, September 19 at 4:00 p.m. for a special tour of its renewable energy and sustainability systems as part of the national Sun Day day of action.
The tour takes place at the ReNew the Earth Institute (REI) in Custer, Wisconsin — MREA’s headquarters, training facility, and year-round event site. Designated as one of Wisconsin’s first Travel Green Destinations, the REI is a 4,200-square-foot building powered entirely by renewable energy. Features include passive solar design, solar hot air and PV systems, in-floor radiant heat, energy-efficient lighting, a timber-framed lobby, and more.
Address: 7558 Deer Road, Custer, WI 54423
After the tour, we invite you to make your way to Whitefeather Organics to learn about their farm, wood boiler heating system, and grid-tied solar electric system starting at 5:00 p.m. located just a few miles away from the MREA at 2239 Sky View Rd, Custer, WI.
Sun Day celebrates the power of clean energy to lower costs, create jobs, and strengthen communities. Learn more about the movement and find events near you.

St. Croix County Large Scale Solar Community Information Session
2025-09-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Northwood Technical College, 1019 S Knowles Ave, New Richmond, WI, 54017, United States
Join the MREA at this upcoming information session on large-scale solar presented by the Wisconsin Farmers Union.

Date: Tuesday, September 23
Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Location: Northwood Technical College, New Richmond, WI

This hybrid session will provide an overview of Wisconsin large-scale solar policy, considerations for local communities, and context on the Tenmile Creek Solar Project. Experts will share insights on energy policy, the electrical grid, and project impacts, with Q&A opportunities throughout.
The event is educational in nature and planned by individuals with diverse perspectives to ensure balanced, accurate information. Follow-up community discussions will be available for those interested. The session will be recorded. Please note: Xcel Energy has been notified of the event but is not hosting, and staff attendance is not guaranteed.
Register to Attend

MnSEIA 2025 Gateway to Solar Conference
2025-10-07 - 2025-10-08 | InterContinental Minneapolis – St. Paul Airport, 5005 Glumack Dr, Minneapolis, MN, 55450, United States
Join the Midwest Renewable Energy Association at the MnSEIA 2025 Gateway to Solar Conference on October 7–8, 2025 in Minneapolis, MN!
The Gateway to Solar Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), is one of the Midwest’s biggest and best solar + storage conferences. Each year solar installers and developers, manufacturers, distributors, financiers, engineers, utilities, job trainers, trade unions, non-profits, government agencies, and more gather for quality networking, education, and fun off-site events.
The MREA will be presenting three NABCEP approved courses on October 7:

10:30-11:30 a.m. — PV 451: Energy Storage Fundamentals – In the New Economy
2:00-3:00 p.m. — PV 425: Transitioning to Effective PV System Operations & Maintenance
3:30-4:30 p.m. — PV 604: Inspecting PV Systems – 2025 and Beyond

Meet industry professionals from across the state and country, hear from state officials, regulators, and legislators, and gain in-depth insight into Minnesota’s booming market and where it’s headed during this exciting two-day conference.

2025 Member Convening
2025-12-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Online
There’s no doubt 2025 has been an impactful year. As we prepare for what 2026 may hold, we feel it is essential to come together, share resources, and update you on where the MREA is going as we continue our work in expanding renewables in the Midwest.
With that in mind, we hope you will join us for the 2025 MREA Member Convening on Tuesday, December 9th.
UPDATE: This event is now ONLINE ONLY due to expected inclement weather. Please join us via Zoom starting at 5:30 p.m.
This event is open to all MREA Members. Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly; seats may be limited. If you have any questions leading up to the event, please contact celia@midwestrenew.org.

2026 RENEW Wisconsin Summit
2026-02-05 | Monona Terrace, Madison, WI, 1 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
Join the Midwest Renewable Energy Association for the 2026 RENEW Wisconsin Summit in Madison, WI on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Gather with clean energy industry leaders, policymakers, students, and advocates to advance Wisconsin’s clean energy transition and create a more resilient future. The clean energy industry in Wisconsin has weathered policy shifts and setbacks before, and each challenge has pushed us to adapt and grow. This year’s theme, “Resilience by Design: Building Strength and Stability,” reminds us that the strength of our industry comes from our community. Through our collective efforts, we can support sound policy, creative solutions, and foster genuine collaboration that continues to support clean energy across communities and sectors.
LEARN MORE

Solar Training Academy (PV 320)
2026-02-23 - 2026-03-03 | Midwest Renewable Energy Association, 7558 Deer Rd, Custer, WI, United States
This package of six MREA courses is ideal for those just entering the solar workforce or preparing to take the NABCEP PV Associate exam. This course package includes: 52 hours of training, textbook, printed course materials, and NABCEP PV Associate Exam.
Class will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (full attendance is required for credentials).
Join us at our headquarters in Custer, WI, to earn your NABCEP PV Associate Credential. Classes are taught by NABCEP-certified and experienced PV professionals, providing you with the foundational skills to launch or advance your solar career. Upon completing this series, you’ll be fully prepared to take the NABCEP PV Associate Exam. Pass the exam, and you’ve officially earned your credential to advance in the solar industry!
We provide light snacks, coffee, and tea during class. Meals are not provided, but a refrigerator and kitchen are available for students to store and warm up lunches. Area accommodations can be found here.

Schedule:

Monday, February 23 — Working with Electricity (G 108)
Tuesday, February 24 — Basic Photovoltaics (PV 101)
Wednesday, February 25 — PV Site Assessment (PV 201)
Thursday, February 26 — PV System Design (PV 202) Day 1
Friday, February 27 — PV System Design (PV 202) Day 2
Monday, March 2 — PV Labs & Design Scenarios (PV 304)
Tuesday, March 3 — PV Exam Prep (PV 220) & NABCEP PV Exam

To apply, contact Nicole Stachurski at (715) 422-5011 or nstachurski@fsc-corp.org

Presented by Advance Wisconsin Employment
This program is made available by a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Advance Wisconsin Employment and Forward Service Corp is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
If you have a disability and need assistance with this information, please dial 7-1-1 for Wisconsin Relay Service. Please contact Nicole Stachurski at (715) 422-5011 or nstachurski@fsc-corp.org to request free of charge information in an alternate format, including a translation to your preferred language. Grant eligibility requirements do apply. First-come, first-served; space is limited to 15 students. $500 incentive for completion.

2026 NABCEP CE Conference
2026-03-16 - 2026-03-19 | The Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Join the Midwest Renewable Energy Association for the 2026 NABCEP CE Conference in Milwaukee, WI on March 16-19, 2026.
The advanced-level content presented at the annual NABCEP CE Conference is geared toward PV industry professionals who have experience with PV installation, solar + storage, technical sales, design, O&M, or system inspection. This is the only industry event that allows NABCEP Board Certified Professionals to obtain as many as 24 hours of continuing education units needed to re-certify. PV Associates can obtain 12 continuing education units needed to renew. Non-certified renewable energy professionals seeking to advance their career can earn up to 18 hours towards becoming NABCEP Board Certified by attending the CE Conference.
LEARN MORE
