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Midwest Renewable Energy AssociationMidwest Renewable Energy Association
  • About
    • Who we are
      • About MREA
      • Meet the Team
      • Advisory Board
      • Office Location
      • Annual Report
      • Contact Us
      • News / Blog
    • Resources
      • Community Resources
      • Midwest Consumers’ Guide
      • SolarEnergy.Jobs
      • Business Directory
      • EV Charging
      • Wedding Venue/Rentals
      • Area Accommodations
  • Training
    • Our Services
      • Training Home
      • Online Courses
      • In-Person Courses
      • All Courses
      • Energy Tech Center
    • Accreditations
      • NABCEP PV Associate
      • Credentials & Certifications
      • Continuing Education
      • Energy Pro Series
    • Student Resources
      • FAQs
      • Student Handbook
      • Cancellation Policy
      • Instructors
      • MREA Alumni
      • Contact / Newsletter
    • Custom Group Training
      • Custom Packages
      • IL Solar for All
      • CEJA
      • Interest Form
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Demo Day
    • The Energy Fair
    • MREA Volunteer Days
  • Initiatives
    • SolarEnergy.jobs
    • Grants, Contracts, & Awards
    • Rise Up Podcast
    • Solar on Schools
    • Solar Project Builder
    • Grow Solar
  • Membership
    • Individual Membership
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    • Power Up Products
    • Membership Engagement
    • Business Member Directory
    • Membership Testimonial
  • Donate Now
    • Legacy Giving
    • Donor Recognition
  • Get Involved
    • Advertising
    • MREA Merch
    • Rise Up Scholarship
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    • Awards

The Energy Fair

The Energy Fair has been a cornerstone event for over three decades, bringing together thousands of attendees to explore sustainability, clean energy, and actionable solutions for a greener future. For 33 years, it served as a hub for learning, connection, and community-building among individuals passionate about renewable energy and sustainable living.

While there will be no Energy Fair in 2025, its legacy continues through the ongoing efforts of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, which remains dedicated to advancing clean energy education and advocacy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR OTHER EVENTS

There will be no Energy Fair in 2025

Since its inception in 1990, the world has changed significantly, and rising costs combined with declining participation have made it increasingly difficult to sustain the Fair as a viable investment for the MREA. As an organization deeply committed to sustainability, this decision was not made lightly. However, to ensure the longevity and impact of our other programs, we must take this necessary step.

The Energy Fair is a one-of-a-kind event that we hold dear in our hearts. We appreciate your understanding as the MREA evolves with the world around us and meets the needs of the clean energy industry and its consumers. In the meantime, the spirit of the Fair will live on through our ongoing programs and initiatives, advancing clean energy education, energy efficiency, and sustainability advocacy for years to come.

LEARN MORE

Our Continued Efforts

Learn more about our programs and initiatives that continue to move our mission forward.

Demo Day

Demo Day brings energy professionals together through hands-on demonstrations, educational workshops, and networking with industry leaders and innovative products.

Membership

MREA membership supports our work while providing our community with benefits such as training discounts and access to our year-round member events.

Training Programs

The MREA offers affordable, accessible, and accredited training to our nation’s clean energy workforce.

Rise Up Scholarship

Established to expand access to workforce development opportunities in the renewable energy field, Rise Up Scholarships provide recipients with free, industry-leading solar technical training.

Grow Solar

Powered by the MREA, Grow Solar makes investments in solar faster, easier, and more affordable through regional group buy programs, solar toolkits, and free community resources.

Solar on Schools

Supported by the Couillard Solar Foundation, Solar on Schools aims to help Wisconsin schools realize the financial, educational, and community benefits of going solar.

LEARN MORE

History of The Energy Fair

The Energy Fair began in 1990 when a group of friends were inspired by a call to action from Richard Perez in Home Power Magazine, titled “People’s Energy Fair — A Dream.” The introduction reads as follows:

“After years of attending energy conferences populated by people who go home to public utility power, I think it’s time for a change. Those of us living on our own power need to get together. During the last two years we have actually received over 20,000 letters from renewable energy producers and would-be producers. We have seen, first-hand, the enormous amounts of interest, energy, and information within this group. We need to get together face-to-face, as many of us as possible in the same place and at the same time.”
– Richard Perez, Home Power Magazine

The group of friends gathered in a local farm kitchen to plan the First Annual Energy Fair at the Amherst, WI fairgrounds. Despite a rainy forecast, the event was a huge success, leading to the formation of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the MREA expanded the Fair’s mission across the renewable energy industry, remaining dedicated to promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration.

The MREA and The Energy Fair grew steadily throughout the years, and in 1999, moved to its current headquarters: the ReNew the Earth Institute (REI) in Custer, WI. The campus is powered by an assortment of renewable systems, including solar electric, storage, solar hot water, solar hot air, wind, and EV charging. Visitors are always welcome with tours and event rentals available upon request.

The Energy Fair was typically held during the weekend following Father’s Day which often coincided with the northern hemisphere’s summer solstice. Attendees gathered at the Fair to learn about the latest sustainable practices and clean energy technology, as well as enjoy the company and merriment of their local community.

Characterized by the large white tents organized throughout our 22-acre fairgrounds, the Fair hosted educational workshops and presentations, organization and product exhibitors, keynote speakers, career fairs, kids activities, and musical performances. Attendees enjoyed social hours, a variety of food trucks, and community dinners to fuel their experience and connect with others. All vendors, exhibitors, presenters, and sponsors were vetted by the MREA and supported our efforts through their own sustainable practices.

Energy Fair attendees came from across the country to attend this one-of-a-kind event — often traveling via sustainable modes of transportation (i.e. electric vehicles, busses, and in some cases, biking or velocycling) and camping at the MREA’s Back 40 campground located one mile away from the fairgrounds.

The Fair was held every year from 1990-2024 with a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 9-10, 2017, the Fair went on the road to Saint Paul, Minnesota, the only year the Fair was held twice in one year, an incredible accomplishment for a small nonprofit organization.

The MREA boasts multiple members who have been with us from the start and who continue to support our efforts as we transition to other ventures with the same goal as the Fair. We thank them for their dedication to our organization and extend our appreciation to all those who have come after them.

Your generous support is valued and appreciated! Consider gifting a tax-deductible donation to the MREA today.

DONATE TODAY

2023 Program Guide
2022 Program Guide
2019 Program Guide
2018 Program Guide
2017 Program Guide
2016 Program Guide
2015 Program Guide
2014 Program Guide

Upcoming Events

Solstock Storytelling Festival

Solstock Storytelling Festival

Join the MREA at the Couillard Solar Foundation’s fourth annual Solstock Storytelling Festival on Saturday, May 31 in Deerfield, Wisconsin. […]

RE+ 2025

RE+ 2025

Join the Midwest Renewable Energy Association at RE+ on September 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. RE+ brings the modern energy […]

Midcontinent Energy Summit

Midcontinent Energy Summit

Join the Midwest Renewable Energy Association at the Midcontinent Energy Summit on August 19-20 in Indianapolis, IN. The Midcontinent Region […]

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  • About
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