MREA Unveils a State-of-the-Art Solar and Electrical Vehicle Charging and Training Facility
For the Gazette
CUSTER — The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) has reached its goal of constructing a 19.4 kW solar canopy and advanced trai
To celebrate the occasion and show appreciation, the MREA will be hosting a Solar Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, June 15th. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 A.M. at the Clean Transportation Show during The 29th Annual En
The project was developed to showcase the possibility of powering our personal transportation with clean solar energy: Driving on Sunshine. “Nations throughout the world have committed to electrifying their transportation over the next 30 years,” says Nick Hylla, MREA’s Executive Director. “GM, Daimler, Volvo, VW, and Jaguar have made commitments to fully electrify their vehicle fleets. We see the technology, prices, and trends and believe that we are just beginning one of the largest infrastructure transitions in US history.”
(Contributed Photo)
The MREA believes in the importance of leadership to generate the growth, support, and investment necessary to transi
“At the first Energy Fair, a solar electric system cost about $85 per watt installed. Despite the benefits, few people were making the investment,” says Hylla. “Today the typical homeowner will pay around $3 per watt. Because of the affordability and benefits, more wind and solar has been installed in the last two years in the US than any other source of electricity and more people work in the solar industry than the oil, gas, and coal industries combined. With today’s technology and prices, electric vehicle adoption will greatly exceed most people’s expectations. We need to make sure that this new electricity demand is powered by wind and solar. If we do, the economic and environmental benefits will be without question.“
MREA used both the online fundraising tool Indiegogo and their annual Energy Fair to encourage and assemble donations to cover the cost of the solar canopy. Thanks to the generosity of their donors and business sponsors, along with receiving a $10,000 grant through RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good program, they have met their fundraising goals. This is a great step forward and everyone at the MREA is deeply grateful for the support.
MREA’s “stretch” goals for the future include a three-year lease on an electric vehicle and 50% funding for an outreach coordinator, totaling $30,000. The MREA wants to recognize the importance of past initiatives, including educational workshops and presentations with leaders in renewable energy, including co-founder of Tesla, JB Straubel, and numerous other keynote speakers. However, they also want to highlight the continuing determination of their members and sponsors with the canopy ribbon cutting and Benefit Dinner, as they continue to look toward the future together.
The dinner will celebrate donors, members, sponsors, partners and everyone else who made the canopy possible. Tickets can be purchased at TheEnergyFair.org/tickets and donations can still be made towards MREA’s stretch goals, at MidwestRenew.org/support/#d
Tickets for The 29th Annual Energy Fair are on sale now at TheEnergyFair.org until mid
