MREA Releases 2014 Training, Membership Catalog
By Amiee Wetmore, MREA
December brings the release of The Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s 2014 Training Catalog, and with that a plethora of courses for diverse audiences.
“Each new training season is an opportunity to connect with people who have an interest in reducing their energy bills, by learning how to install renewable energy systems,” says MREA Regional Training Officer, Clay Sterling. “We took a more focused approach this year when scheduling our courses for 2014,”
Beyond strategic scheduling, here are a few reasons that we’re excited for renewable energy training in 2014:
1.Our trainings are unique! The MREA will be offering, for the first time, a compilation of its solar electric training progression one weekend a month, starting January and concluding in May. Students have the option of attending trainings in either Milwaukee or the Twin Cities. In addition, the MREA provides online, on demand trainings to accommodate your schedule.
2. According to the US Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) latest quarterly report, the price of solar panels was 60% lower in the second quarter (Q2) of 2013 than they were in early 2011, showing signs of a growing market.
3. What follows a growing market? Jobs. “Employment in the solar industry is growing. We are a new industry with a lot more room to grow and have the potential to hire hundreds of thousands of new employees in the United States alone,” says MREA Executive Director, Nick Hylla.
While the MREA offers courses for renewable energy professionals, our trainings also cater to homeowners and do it yourselfers. Anyone can sign up for our courses, starting with 101, and work their way up! Central Wisconsin is ready for solar.
“The MREA, the Stevens Point Area Co-op, the University, and now Central Rivers Farmshed have combined to make Central Wisconsin a leader in sustainability over the last 40 years,” says Josh Stolzenburg, co-owner of North Wind Renewable Energy, and past MREA student. “I have a lot of respect for the lineage of leaders in this area, and am proud to be part of the community today. We have a long way to go, especially in systems thinking, low tech solutions, and developing a true local economy, but in Central Wisconsin we’re in a pretty good place to work on these things and succeed.”
The MREA 2014 Training Catalog can be found online at http://issuu.com/midwestrenewableenergy/docs/mrea_training_catalog and a calendar of MREA
courses can be found at https://www.midwestrenew.org/workshops.
To keep your finger on the pulse of renewable energy and sustainable living, and to receive discounts on MREA courses and educational materials, consider joining as an MREA Member.
It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. We’re looking forward to a great 2014!
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization. Founded in 1990, the MREA promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. To learn more, call 715.592.6595 or visit www.midwestrenew.org.
