RENEW is dedicated to increasing access to the benefits of renewable energy for everyone in the Badger State. To accelerate the clean energy transition, we are focusing on the following key policy priorities:
Affirming the legality of third-party financing
Third-party financing is a solution to the barrier of upfront costs associated with renewable energy projects and makes ‘going solar’ an accessible option for low to middle-income homeowners, churches, government agencies, and nonprofits. Legal clarity on third-party financing is essential to expand access to clean energy. Learn more at wisolarcoalition.com.
Implementing fair and clear distributed generation policies
Breweries, farms, manufacturers, solar companies, families, congregations, and others produce clean energy that benefits the electric grid. RENEW is working to ensure that electricity is valued fairly by advocating for improvements on net metering, parallel generation rates, and interconnection rules. If we get these policies right, Wisconsin can reach its clean energy potential.
Expanding Community Solar
Community solar is a simple solution that enables residential, commercial, and large energy customers to shift to renewables and reduce energy bills. Presently, 21 states have policies supporting community solar, but Wisconsin lacks a similar framework. Learn more at wisolarcoalition.com.
Building A Roadmap for Wisconsin’s Zero Carbon Future
RENEW is partnering with Clean Wisconsin and GridLab to conduct a zero-carbon grid study for the PSC’s consideration.
Our analysis will help answer the following questions:
- What is the right mix of renewable resources in-state and out-of-state?
- What is a reasonable balance between utility-scale and distributed solar resources?
- How much transmission capacity is needed to achieve a zero-carbon future?
- What will be the health, jobs, and economic impacts as we make this clean grid transition?
Learn more about Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan HERE.
With PSC Approval in hand, Alliant’s Solar Portfolio soars above One Gigawatt
But a federal anti-dumping investigation jeopardizes solar power build-out in Wisconsin Having secured approval today from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to build six more solar power plants, Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin affiliate is on a trajectory to source 20%...
read more
Regulatory Approval of Koshkonong Solar Project Advances Clean Energy Transition in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the construction of the 300-megawatt (MW) Koshkonong Solar Energy Center in early April. Developed by Chicago-based Invenergy LLC, this solar project will provide enough emission-free electricity to...
read more
Clean Energy Advocates Weigh In On Net Metering Policy
RENEW Wisconsin, together with a coalition of Clean Energy Advocates (Clean Wisconsin, Environmental Law, and Policy Center, Vote Solar, The Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, and the Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action), submitted...
read more
Buyback Rates and the Business Case for Distributed Generation in Wisconsin
In June of 2020, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) opened an investigation into parallel generation (docket 5-EI-157). Parallel generation refers to distributed generation (DG) that is sited at a customer’s premises and can 1) produce energy for the...
read more
Join The Conversation About Potential Net Metering Policy Changes
Net metering is a billing policy that enables customers who generate electricity from solar energy to receive a bill credit for the excess energy they add to the grid. This arrangement allows residential and business customers to generate their own electricity, reduce...
read moreRENEW’s legisltive focus includes clean energy financing, electric vehicles, community solar, third-party financing, net metering and energy storage.
Clean Energy Legislative Update • September 2023
The 2023-24 legislative session in Wisconsin is nearing the halfway point. Much has happened in the last year, and we are hoping to make great strides by the end of the current legislative session. This year's biennial budget bill for 2023-25 had several provisions we...
read more
Supporters Of Clean Energy And Distributed Generation, It’s Time To Weigh In.
RENEW has assembled a team of experts to develop a comprehensive framework of Distributed Generation (DG) buyback rates as a counter-proposal to utility applications. DG buyback rates determine payments for ALL non-utility-owned electricity generation at the...
read more
Governor Evers Introduces Wisconsin’s First-Ever Clean Energy Plan
Today, Governor Tony Evers introduced Wisconsin's first-ever Clean Energy Plan. The plan was developed with input from hundreds of stakeholders and provides a pathway for Wisconsin to build a robust clean energy workforce, save billions of dollars, and become more...
read more
Clean Energy Legislative Issue Summary • 2021-22 was the start of something big
The 2021-22 legislative session in Wisconsin is now over. It was a busy session for clean energy initiatives with legislation introduced to allow more community solar, clarify the rules for leasing solar equipment, and update the regulations for electric vehicle (EV)...
read more
Join The Conversation About Potential Net Metering Policy Changes
Net metering is a billing policy that enables customers who generate electricity from solar energy to receive a bill credit for the excess energy they add to the grid. This arrangement allows residential and business customers to generate their own electricity, reduce...
read more
Powering Change: Temple Beth El’s Solar Energy Journey
Shining a Bright Light on St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church’s Solar Commitment
Located in Madison, Wisconsin, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, founded in 1958, has embarked on a notable journey towards sustainability and environmental responsibility.
read more
People’s United Methodist Church Celebrates Completion of Solar Project
PUMC’s journey in environmental stewardship began with small-scale initiatives; however, their ambitions for sustainability expanded in 2019 when they initiated plans for a solar installation.
read more
From Brownfield to Bright Ideas: Green Tech Station’s Journey to Green Energy
On Thursday, September 28, the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) celebrated the completion of their 8.88-kilowatt solar system at their Green Tech Station Facility. The solar installation on this site represents a pivotal step forward for the...
read more
Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls’ Solar Dedication Brightens the Community
On Sunday, September 17, Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls hosted a solar dedication ceremony to celebrate their new solar array. The 44.3-kilowatt array was installed by Ethos Green Power and is expected to produce 61,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually. Peace...
read more
Support Our Cause
