The MREA often works with federal, state, and private agencies to conduct research and provide program services to advance clean energy and energy efficiency markets. With the support of financial awards and contracts, we expand our reach and impact each year, developing new resources, training opportunities, and outreach initiatives that benefit individuals, businesses, and organizations across the region. By leveraging these relationships, the MREA continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a resilient and equitable clean energy future.
Grants, Contracts, & Awards
Fiscal Year 23-24
Funder: Focus on Energy, Environmental and Economic Research and Development Program (EERD)
Award/Competition: Pitch Day 2023
Overview: MREA was awarded funds to do workforce development research on the Focus on Energy program’s Trade Allies, partnering training providers, and workforce development programs. The Empowering Trade Allies for Building Efficiency and Electrification Research Project aims to help WI best deploy federal workforce funds and building electrification and efficiency incentives through interviews with Trade Allies, technical college training programs, independent training programs, apprenticeship sponsors, and workforce development programs to define needed training, hiring, and business development support.
Purpose/Impact: Focus on Energy’s EERD Program funds research projects allowing Wisconsin to further its efforts towards reducing energy waste, costs, and environmental impacts. To achieve the goals of the Focus on Energy program, Trade Allies need a recruitment and training strategy that increases their capability to deliver energy efficient products and services. This requires leveraging training capacity across the technical college system, the trades, and independent training programs. Our research helped to do this. The outcomes of the research contain recommendations for optimizing workforce development and training funding to support building electrification and energy efficiency upgrades for utility customers across the state.
Timeline: November 2023 to July 2024.
Interesting Stats/Data: We interviewed 40 Wisconsin Trade Allies and 10 Wisconsin training providers!
Funder: Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Award: U.S. Department of Energy Solar Ready Vets
Overview: Develop National Guideline Standards (NGS) of Apprenticeship for 7 occupations of interest to the solar industry.
Purpose/Impact: Expanding apprenticeship availability in the solar workforce to support worker recruitment, retention, training, and professional licensing.
Timeline: October 2023 to September 2025.
Funder: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO)
Award/Competition: Equitable Solar Communities of Practice Program
Overview: MREA was selected as the lead organization for the Equitable Solar Workforce Development Community of Practice. The project aims to scale the U.S. solar workforce to meet growing industry demands and ensure that these opportunities are accessible and beneficial to all communities.
Purpose/Impact: To provide valuable insights into workforce needs and training program capacities across the U.S. and provide recommendations for optimizing workforce development and training funding to support the equitable growth of the solar industry, helping to ensure that the transition to solar energy is inclusive and beneficial for all communities.
Timeline: March 2024 to December 2024.
The DOE Solar Energy Technology Office launched the Equitable Solar Communities of Practice program in November 2023 to support the expansion of equitable benefits in solar adoption. The program consists of five communities of practice that work to identify resource gaps, support the development and dissemination of best practices and resources, and identify and propose new resources, tools, technical assistance offerings needed to scale equitable solar.
Funder: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO)
Award: American Made Solar Prize Round 7
Overview: The MREA developed a portable, interactive training kit that provides affordable, hands-on solar education for communities and colleges.
Purpose/Impact: This solution offers relevant equipment, comprehensive concepts, and easy transport for real-world solar training to bridge the solar skills gap.
Timeline: Awarded in January 2024
Interesting Stats/Data: s part of this competition, MREA’s Nick Matthes created his company, Illumination Solar, and moved on to the final round, winning the $25,000 JEDI contest at a live event at RE+.
Funder: Couillard Solar Foundation
Overview: MREA received funds to continue administering the Solar on Schools Program, which aims to help Wisconsin schools realize the financial, educational, and community benefits of going solar. The program supports schools through grants for solar panels and canopies, educational resources, and training opportunities, encouraging student engagement and renewable energy awareness.
Purpose/Impact: The Solar on Schools Program empowers Wisconsin schools to reduce energy costs, increase sustainability, and foster student engagement in renewable energy. By supporting solar installations and providing resources for clean energy education, the program advances the state’s renewable energy goals while inspiring the next generation of clean energy leaders.
Timeline: January 2023 to December 2024
Funder: Sally Mead Hands Foundation
Overview: Funding support for Rise Up Midwest and the Midwest Consumer’s Guide. The MREA’s Grow Solar: Residential Consumer Support for Midwest Distributed Energy Market Growth project focuses on enhancing consumer education and protection in the growing DER market. The project implemented strategies to ensure customer safety and integrate consumer protection into professional training and outreach, ensuring that contractors and consumers alike are equipped with the knowledge needed to support sustainable energy practices across the Midwest.
Purpose/Impact: The project aims to protect and educate consumers in the expanding Midwest DER market by improving contractor selection, offering financial protections, and creating support systems for incomplete solar installations. It also enhanced professional training and consumer resources to ensure reliable and sustainable growth of DERs across the region.
Timeline: July 2023 to June 2024
Funder: Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin
Award: Community Grants Cycle Spring FY24
Overview: MREA was funded for Centering Portage County in the Midwest Energy Transition, which aims to enhance clean energy education and career opportunities in Portage County. Through initiatives like Industry Demo Day and the Consumers’ Guide to the Midwest Energy Transition publication, MREA positioned Portage County as a central hub in the region’s clean energy transition. The guide will be distributed to local schools, residents, and municipalities, providing essential information on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Purpose/Impact: This project supports the growing demand for clean energy careers and aligns with MREA’s mission to promote renewable energy and sustainable living through education and demonstration.
Timeline: January 2024 to June 2024.
Funder: Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association.
Overview: MREA received funding to support the implementation of a cattle grazing project at our headquarters in Custer, WI. The funding provided resources for livestock fencing, water systems, and gates, enabling the procurement and management of cattle for sustainable land management and regenerative agriculture practices.
Purpose/Impact: The grazing project demonstrates sustainable land use practices, promoting soil health, biodiversity, and regenerative agriculture. It displays how previously unused lands can be restored to resemble a more native state and provide grazing for small farming operations. This ultimately results in restoring soil health and ecosystem functions.
Timeline: June 2024
Interesting Facts: The owner of the cattle, Asher Maliepaard, has been raising a breed of cattle known as Dexter, which is a small breed originating from Ireland. They are used for milk and meat and are known as a heritage breed which are essential for maintaining genetic diversity. Asher brought 8 cows with their calves in early June of 2024 to graze The Energy Fair parking lot prior to the event. Though the grass was tall and thick from the great spring growing conditions, the cattle were able to consume it in only three weeks. After the Fair, four yearlings were brought back to graze between September and late November.