The United States uses almost twenty percent of the energy used in the world but has less than five percent of the population. What great potential to lead the world in renewable energy development and increase the amount of energy we generate in our homes and businesses rather than purchase energy generated from fossil fuel miles away! Here at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), a non-profit East of Stevens Point, we are working towards an energy efficient future powered by renewable energy.

Do you know there are many different ways to harness the sun’s energy? The MREA is located at the ReNew the Earth Institute, a 4,200-square-foot building on 20 rolling acres where people of all ages can learn about renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living.

The Institute has six unique methods of harvesting sunshine:

1. Passive solar building design that shades in the summer and maximizes heat in the winter
2. Eight unique photovoltaic (PV) solar systems that generate electrical power
3. A solar car charging station to charge our plug in electric hybrid Prius
4. Solar thermal collectors that heat with forced air
5. Solar thermal systems that heat water for domestic uses (showers, dishes, etc…)
6. Solar thermal systems that provide in-floor radiant heat

In addition to capturing energy from the sun, the MREA uses electricity from wind turbines to generate one hundred percent of our electricity from on-site renewable energy systems. The Institute incorporates energy-efficient features, including a standing-seam Galvalume roof, day lighting, energy-efficient light fixtures, and a masonry wood stove. The Institute has been certified as a green tourist destination by Travel Green Wisconsin by meeting a wide range of goals including water conservation, electrical efficiency, and reduction of solid waste.

At the MREA we are excited by all the ways to harvest energy from the sun and wind and conserve energy through smart design. We are so excited that we want to share our diversity of renewable systems with the community of Central Wisconsin. We are one of the many participating organizations across the nation opening our doors to the public on Saturday, October 4, in honor of the 19^th Annual National Solar Tour, organized by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES).

Come to the ReNew the Earth Institute (REI), headquarters of the MREA, in Custer at 7558 Deer Road between 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on October 4th for tours on the hour of our renewable energy systems, music from Kameron Krause, beer from Central Waters Brewing Company, food at Tortuga Express, and help Mark Morgan finish building our wood-fired pizza oven onsite! Celebrate and learn about renewable energy with us! For more information or to find other solar and green building tours across Wisconsin on Saturday, October 4, visit: www.midwestrenew.org/solartour.