RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good initiative fosters the expansion of solar power among mission-based nonprofits and houses of worship in Wisconsin.
Through a generous partnership with the Couillard Solar Foundation, RENEW Wisconsin awards grant funding or solar panels to nonprofit organizations, helping them switch to clean, renewable, solar energy. In 2020, First Unitarian Society of Madison began contributing grant donations to the program through the Array it Forward initiative. Anyone can contribute to the Array it Forward initiative through the DONATE button below.
RENEW Wisconsin prioritizes organizations that work in the areas of social justice, low-income communities, people of color, children or seniors, rural Wisconsin, education, and new technology or innovation.
Solar for Good celebrates awarded solar projects and helps nonprofit organizations educate their communities about the benefits of solar power. Solar for Good has already helped over 200 nonprofits save money on their electric bills that they can reinvest in their missions.
The Spring 2025 Solar for Good grant application will open April 1, 2025.
What Solar for Good Offers
Applicants can choose to apply for solar panels, solar canopies.
SOLAR PANELS: RENEW Wisconsin will administer solar panel donations through the Couillard Solar Foundation. Nonprofits can be awarded up to 50% of the panels required for their solar project, based on system size.*
- For solar systems smaller than 100 kilowatts, a nonprofit can be awarded up to 50% of the solar panels required, up to 75 panels** (~$25,000 value).
- For systems 100 kilowatts and larger, a nonprofit can be awarded up to 50% of the solar panels required, up to 150 panels* (~$50,000 value).
- Panel allotment will be allocated as follows:
| FUNDING FOR | MAXIMUM GRANT SIZE |
|---|---|
| Solar arrays 5 – 100 kW | Up to 75 panels* (approximately $25,000 worth of materials) |
| Solar arrays 100 kW and larger | Up to 150 panels* (approximately $50,000 worth of materials) |
Organizations can choose to purchase the remaining panels needed for their project through the Couillard Solar Foundation. All proceeds from the sale of additional panels go back to providing grants and administration for future solar projects.
Winning nonprofits will need to budget for shipping expenses for all awarded solar panels to their site or partnering solar contractor’s facility.
SOLAR CANOPIES: RENEW Wisconsin will administer canopy donations through the Couillard Solar Foundation. The canopy is sold complete, including panels, beams, tie bars, clamps and hardware.
- A base cash grant of $6,000 will be awarded for the first 20kW in system size.*
- Each additional 10kW will receive an additional $3,000.*
- The grant value will be calculated on the final, installed size of the array. For example:
| FUNDING FOR | GRANT SIZE |
|---|---|
| Canopies 20kW to 29kW | $6,000* |
| Canopies 30kW to 39kW | $9,000* |
| Canopies 40kW to 49kW | $12,000* |
| Canopies 50kW to 59kW | $15,000* |
*Winning nonprofits will need to budget for all other costs associated with the canopy array installation (including substructure, additional electrical supplies needed to fully install the array, labor and, if necessary, surface preparation).
Education: Our energy experts are talking to nonprofit organizations across the state about how solar can help them. Want to learn more? Invite us to give a presentation to your organization about the benefits of solar energy and how it works. Contact us at solarforgood@renewwisconsin.org.
How to Apply
Before You Apply for Solar for Good
- Before applying for a Solar for Good award, take some time to learn about solar energy and evaluate whether this is a good idea for your organization.
- Get site assessments from one or more reputable solar companies, determine which company you will work with.
- Receive a formal solar proposal from a selected solar firm and identify the size and cost of the project you will install.
Apply for Solar for Good Grant
- The Spring Grant Cycle opens on April 1, 2025 with completed applications due on May 1st, 2025.
- To view a PDF of the Spring 2025 Grant Application, click HERE.
- Applications must be submitted through the online application form. Emailed or mailed-in application forms will not be reviewed. RENEW evaluates each application on an individual basis.
- If you have any difficulty completing the application, including uploading your project proposal or proof of tax-exempt status (an IRS designation or current certificate from Wisconsin’s Department of Financial Institutions), please email SolarforGood@renewwisconsin.org.
- If the application is approved, we will reserve your award until you are ready to install (Solar Panels) or until after your project is complete (Project Grant).
If Your Application is Selected
- RENEW Wisconsin will hold grant reservations for no more than 12 months, so all fundraising, design and installation for the project must be completed within that timeframe.
- Accept the Solar for Good award by signing our MOU. Your document will be customized, but you can view a sample MOU HERE.
- Sign your contract with your selected solar company and provide us a copy of your finalized contract and proposal.
- Execute your fundraising campaign. Awarded organizations are required to check in with us at 6 months and show progress towards meet the funding goal. If you are not on track, we will work with you to find a solution or cancel your reservation.
- Work with your solar contractor to complete the installation of the solar project within 12 months. RENEW Wisconsin will arrange for your solar panels when your contractor is ready to install.
Requirements for Awarded Organizations
By accepting a Solar for Good grant, awardees are required to conduct each of the following: host an event, develop resources or educational materials, and complete the Project Evaluation Survey. These requirements are also outlined in the MOU. You can view a draft Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by grant recipients HERE.
Host an Event
Grantees play a key role in educating their communities about the benefits of solar energy. As part of their commitment, awarded organizations must host a community event within one year of their solar installation, as outlined in their signed MOU. Examples of qualifying events include:
- Open House: Showcasing the new solar system and its impact.
- Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: Celebrating the installation with stakeholders and community members.
- Dedication Ceremony: Marking the occasion with a formal acknowledgment of the project’s significance.
These events provide opportunities to engage the community, raise awareness, and inspire further adoption of solar energy.
Collateral Creation
To have a lasting visibility of their solar installation, awarded organizations are required to develop educational or promotional materials. Examples of qualifying educational or promotional materials include:
- Case Study: Developed in partnership with RENEW Wisconsin
- Dedicated Webpage: A page on the organization’s website that shares information about the solar project and Solar for Good
- Educational Handouts: Renewable energy education materials distributed at the facilities
Project Evaluation Survey
Grantees will notify RENEW Wisconsin the date the system is commissioned. Six months after the solar system has gone live, the Project Evaluation Survey will be due. This survey examines the organization’s energy savings, system performance, experience with your selected firm, and overall experience with the Solar for Good program.
Commonly Asked Questions
Who is Eligible for Solar for Good?
In order to receive an award, the organization must be a registered nonprofit organization located in Wisconsin, be in good financial standing, able to accept donations, and own its building or be able to make necessary changes to its roof or property to accommodate solar. Note that this program is designed to fund mission-based organizations. Solar for Good grant recipients should demonstrate service and impact in several key sectors. Grants are prioritized to organizations that perform service in the following areas:
- Children or Seniors
- Education
- LGBTQ+
- Low-Income Communities
- People of Color
- People with Disabilities
- Rural Wisconsin
Organizations receiving a grant must agree to promote their solar project and educate their community members about the benefits of solar energy. You can view a draft Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by grant recipients HERE.
Can we receive multiple awards from Solar for Good?
Organizations can receive either a donation of solar panels OR a Couillard Solar Canopy Grant for a project. However, an organization can apply for multiple awards if multiple solar arrays are being installed. For example, if your organization has two solar projects at two separate locations, each project could be eligible for a singular award. Alternatively, a project located at 123 Main street cannot receive both a rooftop solar panel donation and Couillard Solar Canopy donation.
Can we receive a Solar for Good award if we are applying for other grants?
Yes, we encourage you to seek additional funding opportunities! When applying for other grants, be sure to ensure that qualifications for each funding opportunity aligns. There are several ways to fund the remaining costs including, but not limited to matching fund for a public fundraising campaign, financing your system, and more.
Just Getting Started in Your Solar Journey?
Even if you are not ready to apply for Solar for Good, we would love to learn more about your solar project and provide guidance on what steps you can be taking in the meantime!
Reach out to solarforgood@renewwisconsin.org to learn more about Solar for Good!
Check out these webinars for more information about how your organization can go solar!
Solar for Nonprofits – July 2020
Solar for Schools – September 2020
WHY ARE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS GOING SOLAR?
SOLAR ENERGY PROMOTES A CLEANER, HEALTHIER WISCONSIN
LOWER ENERGY COSTS MEANS MORE MONEY FOR MISSIONS AND PROGRAMS
ENERGY LEADERSHIP INSPIRES AND ENGAGES THEIR COMMUNITIES
Sustaining Gilda’s Club Madison Through Solar
On Monday, January 13, Gilda’s Club Madison invited representatives from RENEW Wisconsin, Couillard Solar Foundation, Only in Wisconsin, Glow Solar, and their members to join in the celebration of a monumental achievement. Gilda’s Club with the help of its supporters installed a solar array that will offset 100% of its electrical usage.
Fall 2024 Solar for Good Grant Awards
The Solar for Good grant program has awarded over $220,000 in grants and solar panel donations to Wisconsin nonprofit organizations for the Fall 2024 grant round. The 14 nonprofits will install 16 projects for a total of 1,000 kilowatts of solar electricity, leading...
CESA 10 Serving Schools & Going Solar
Solar Solutions for Sugar Creek Lutheran Church
Solar Ignites Change for First Presbyterian Church
St Vincent de Paul’s Solar-Powered Future
Case Study
Aldo Leopold Foundation
Baraboo, WI | 90 kW System | $28,576 Grant
Solar for Good allowed the Leopold Foundation to continue being a leader in demonstrating what a land ethic looks like in the 21st Century! Our solar panel expansion will help us achieve our goal of achieving net zero and allows us to allocate resources previously used to cover utility costs towards growing our mission and impact.
Buddy Huffaker, Aldo Leopold Foundation
Case Study
Camp Amnicon
South Range, WI | 19.24 kW System | $8,658 Grant
Installing solar has long been a dream at Camp Amnicon. The project will support our core values but also provide a new piece of educational programming to teach youth about our relationship to energy.
Brandon Due, Camp Amnicon
Case Study
UW-Madison Arboretum
Madison, WI | 25.16 kW System | $11,322 Grant
Renewable resources like solar energy advance our sustainability goals as well as our mission of conservation and education. The solar panels donated by Solar for Good helped us earn a Platinum level Green Office Certification from the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability!
Josh Goldman, UW-Madison Arboretum |Photo credit: Ian Aley UW-Madison Office of Sustainability
Case Study
North Central Conservancy Trust
Stevens Point, WI | 3.4 kW System | $2,676 Grant
We consider ourselves to be a conservation organization with environmental stewardship and natural resource protection as a top priority. Utilizing renewable and sustainable resources, like solar energy, underscores our mission and objectives.
Christopher C. Radford, North Central Conservancy Trust
Case Study
Nourish Farms
Sheboygan Falls, WI | 9.94 kW System | $4,144 Grant
This system offsets 25% of our expected kWh usage annually and saves Nourish Farms $1,362/year!
Heather Cleveland, Nourish Farms
Case Study
Neshkoro Area Fire Protection District
Neshkoro, WI | 14.08 kW System | $3,164 Grant
This is an example of where the Venn Diagram of doing the right thing and doing the smart thing completely overlap. This project will serve as a public example to the community of both the value and the practicality of investing in renewable energy.
Steven R. Sheldon, Neshkoro Area Fire Protection District
Case Study
Yerkes Future Foundation
Williams Bay, WI | 60 kW System | $12.488 Grant
Yerkes Observatory has a tradition of being forward thinking, innovative, and revolutionary. Bringing a solar power project of this level tot he area would be a first. It will allow us to pursue the innovative culture we strive for while keeping operational costs manageable.
Dianna Colman, Yerkes Future Foundation
