Midwest Renewable Energy Association
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. The MREA is working to protect the environment by educating the public about appropriate use of natural resources to meet our energy needs.
Annual Report 2012-2013
Highlights from the Year MREA Instructors taught 70 renewable energy courses this past year and reached 746 students.
Over 14,000 people attended The 24th Annual Energy Fair.
With generous support from donors, we installed nearly 9 kW of solar at our Headquarters and donated a 2 kW PV system to a Milwaukee non-profit.
We expand our membership benefits and as of September 2013, there are over 1,500 MREA members.
A Message from the MREA Board President Here we are, coming up to our 25th Annual Energy Fair. What a trip! We have had our ups and downs, and I have had the pleasure of being here for 24 Energy Fairs. You may not know this, but the MREA was founded and run by a group of enthusiasts that got off their backsides and went for it. In the beginning, funds were minimal and volunteers ran the MREA. As the organization grew, we filled The Energy Fair and courses, we were able to hire and pay staff, we bought land and buildings, and we put up our own renewable energy systems. We now have a net-zero energy campus with some of the best renewable energy demonstrations and training facilities around. This is in thanks to so many. Those people that come and volunteer, donate time and money, take our courses, attend The Energy Fair and all of our staff that have given beyond what most would give - all because we believe that what the MREA does is good and right. Today we find ourselves in a recession right along-side the rest of the world, and it’s important that we stay connected to our roots. As we look to the future at what the MREA will become, let’s not forget all the love and work that has gone into what has already been created. We have accomplished a whole lot, and want to keep it going. Our facility and staff provide great services but need support so we can continue teaching sustainability and renewable energy around the Midwest. What does the future look like for us? We are not a small organization anymore, and we don’t want to be. The MREA Board of Directors and staff work hard and will continue to become more efficient with our time and resources. We can ill afford to lose and in fact, need to grow our most important resource - you - our members! We need your support now, more than ever. We need to find those who see what we do as GREAT and have them join us in this effort. What do I see? I want the MREA to be here forever! This means that we need energy and funds to keep us going. How do we get there? This is not a rhetorical question - I want to hear from you! Who do you know that will stand with us? Thanks, Mark Morgan MREA Board President
Site Assessment Certificate Program Site Assessment Certificate Program New Web Sites Launched! The Site Assessment Certificate Program (SACP) has officially launched www.mreacertificate.org and www.siteassessor.org, two new websites dedicated to serving site assessment students, certificate holders, and the public. The www.mreacertificate.org web site provides information about the Site Assessment Certificate Program, student resources, and instructor training for the SACP’s Recognized Training Provider Program. The site hosts a course training calendar and convenient information for students such as video tutorials, exam request forms, and certificate renewal procedures. The www.siteassessor.org website is the customer gateway to finding trained, independent Site Assessors who can help the customer determine if their property is suited for a photovoltaic, solar thermal, or small wind renewable energy system. All MREA Site Assessor Certificate holders are eligible to have a profile published on the Site Assessor Directory. It is the only directory of its kind in the nation and is a useful marketing tool for your business.
Congratulations to our current Site Assessment Certificate Program Recognized Training Providers Illinois Chris Miller, Heartland Community College Minnesota Jesse Dahl, Hibbing Community College Todd Fink, Century College Jack Kluempke, Minnesota Renewable Energy Society Iowa Jason Gideon, Kirkwood Community College Indiana Alex Jarvis, Brown County Career Center New York Jason Novak, SUNY Ulster, NY- Instructor Michigan Bill Queen, Northwestern Michigan College Wisconsin Ben Nusz, Mid-State Technical College John Hippensteel, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Solar Instructor Training Network The MREA manages the Department of Energy’s Solar Instructor Training Network for the Midwest. We provide instructor development opportunities and organize a network of instructors, installers, engineers, inspectors, administrators, and other industry stakeholders to create and share instructional resources. Learn more at www.midwestsolartraining.org. Thank you to all of our partners for working with us to build solar training capacity in the Midwest!
Our Current Midwest Solar Training Network Partners Include: Iowa Hawkeye Community College Iowa Central Community College Kirkwood Community College Illinois Lake Land College Kankakee Community College Heartland Community College Illinois Solar Energy Association Illinois Green Economy Network Lewis and Clark Community College Indiana Brown County Career Resource Center Michigan Northwestern Michigan College Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center Macomb Community College Monroe County Community College
Minnesota Century College Tree Trust Hibbing Community College Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minnesota Renewable Energy Society Dunwoody College of Technology Dakota County Technical College Rochester Community and Technical College Ohio Sinclair Community College Lorain County Community College Wisconsin Mid-State Technical College Milwaukee Community Service Corps College of Menominee Nation Waukesha County Technical College Gateway Technical College Milwaukee Area Technical College Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
2013 marked the 24th year for hosting The Energy Fair. With over 14,000 attendees The Energy Fair remains the largest and longest running energy education and sustainable living event in the country, offering 212 unique workshops, 215 exhibitors and amazing workshops and speakers.
2013 Highlights Included: • Keynote Danny Kennedy. Danny Kennedy is a passionate activist, successful cleantech entrepreneur and recognized opinion leader on global environmental issues. Danny Kennedy is the founder of the leading residential solar power company, Sungevity, has worked on climate and energy issues for over two decades, and he spearheaded the “Solar on the White House” campaign that resulted in the Obama administration’s decision to place solar panels on the First Family residence. • Keynote Josh Fox. Josh Fox was a finalist for the Academy Award for Best Documentary, GASLAND, a gripping, timely, and necessary film about the largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history. Conceived of, directed, narrated, and filmed by Josh Fox, GASLAND premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and won six major awards. The film also premiered on HBO in June 2010 and received Emmy nominations for cinematography, writing, and exceptional merit for nonfiction filmmaking, and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Direction for Nonfiction Programming. • The Giving Tree Band played on Saturday night to a packed crowd despite inclement weather. • Our Seeing Renewable Energy Development (RED) In Communities Contest was held on Sunday of The Fair where a 2kW PV system was awarded to a non-profit in the Midwest. The winner by popular vote, was Milwaukee’s Walnut Way Conservation Corp. Walnut Way is a central city neighborhood organization on Milwaukee’s near north side and their mission is to sustain an economically diverse community through civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and venues for prosperity. Support from MREA sponsors, Helios Solar Works, Ingeteam, Werner Electric Supply, and A-A Exteriors made this contest possible. • We hosted professional extended workshops in our North Building for continuing education credits. • We partnered with local non-profit Farmshed to run the MREA Café which featured delicious local food from The Energy Fair Farmer’s Market and surrounding farms.
• Each year, MREA’s Avenue of Advocates recognizes people who have shown great leadership in advancing renewable energy and sustainable living. The following individuals had trees planted on their behalf along MREA’s Avenue of Advocates during The 2013 Energy Fair:
Craig Porter | Joel Gaalswyk | Don Wichert • We had over 300 volunteers and received generous sponsorship support from the following companies and organizations: Caleffi Solar, Home Power Magazine, Organic Valley, Central Waters Brewing Company, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Kyocera, PV Systems, Schletter, SolarLogic, Sungevity, WPPI Energy, ATC, AWEA, Conserve School, Xcel Energy, Gimme Shelter Construction, SMA, Solar America Solutions, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Service, Alliant Energy, Alterra Coffee Roasters, Arch Electric, Focus on Energy, H&H Solar, Milwaukee Shines, Schneider Electric, Sierra Club, Sunnovations, North Wind Renewable Energy. Thank you to everyone who donated time or provided financial support for The 24th Annual Energy Fair!
• Planned
Giving - A Renewable Legacy •
There are many ways you can help meet your financial goals and maximize your philanthropic giving through gift planning. Endowments, trusts and bequests that name the MREA as a beneficiary in your will or trust document are the most common forms of planned giving and are an opportunity to support what you value beyond your lifetime. If you have a passion for our mission, support renewable energy and sustainable living, and want to give back to the MREA, please consider a legacy gift to the MREA. The MREA is grateful for the 2013 legacy gift from Joel Gaalswyk of Spring Green, WI. Joel was a pioneer who built his own solar powered home designed to function totally off grid. He used energy conservation concepts in his home long before it was common. He always had a passion for community, politics, energy conservation, and environmental issues. His gift will help ensure our continued work to promote renewable energy and sustainable living!
Workshops & Trainings •We Are Reaching New Audiences With Our Renewable Energy Training• As renewable energy technologies move into mainstream use, new audiences are in need of training. At the MREA, we have seen a decrease in demand for our openenrollment courses in Wisconsin, but see growing needs in other markets. This has required transition to and investment in new course topics and formats. These investments have resulted in: • Online courses - We now have online courses offerings for Basic Photovoltaics (PV), PV Site Assessment, and PV Conceptual Design. These courses progress to the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Technical Sales Certification. • More Continuing Education Credits (CECs) - We have expanded our CECs to include a variety of new organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, NABCEP, International
The Numbers are In For 2013! Number of MREA courses taught: 70 Number of Students in face to face courses: 433 Number of Students in Hybrid/ Online courses: 263 Number of Students in Recognized Training Provider Site Assessment Courses: 50 Total number of students: 746
Association of Electrical Inspectors, and state licensing agencies in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. We continue to pursue recognition by more licensing agencies in other Midwestern states. • Instructor Training - Educators from 2-year colleges across the Midwest are looking to build their renewable energy knowledge and skills and integrate ideas into their training programs. The MREA now offers a full progression of trainings for instructors. • Contract Training - Electrical contractors, distributors, sales firms, and code officials are looking for training to build their capacity to design, sell, install, and inspect solar and wind energy systems. The MREA has provided training to more than 15 of these groups over the last year and have a number of trainings already lined up for 2014.
Membership We are expanding our Memberships throughout the Midwest Our success is made possible by the participation, funding, and work of our dedicated members. Membership and participation in the MREA are open and welcome to all interested individuals and organizations. We are also pleased to announce new member benefits this year, including: • Business members now get free access to our online, on-demand courses • Business members now receive $20 off our general trainings • We are listing all new and renewing members (both business and individual) who joined the previous month in our monthly eReNews • We are promoting all new and renewing members through social media
Staff and Board of Directors MREA BOARD OF DIRECTORS • President: Mark Morgan, Bearpaw Design and Construction • Vice-President: Nathan Franklin, Dairyland Power Cooperative • Financial Officer: David Behnke-Seper, First Affirmative Financial Network • Secretary: Benjamin Nusz, Mid-State Technical College • Tom Brown, Thomas Brown Architects; Past-President • Chris Collins, H&H Solar • Travis Cooke, Village of Trempealeau • Jason Edens, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance • Bob Hattier, Alternative Currents, LLC • Nick Hylla, Midwest Renewable Energy Association • John Kivlin, Convergence Energy • Alec Linde, Mid State Technical College • Ed Stoll, Master Electrician, NABCEP Certified PV Installer • Joe Wilson, Quarles & Brady, LLP MREA STAFF MEMBERS: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Megan Briskie: Communications Assistant Julie Brazeau: Instructor Development Coordinator Sandy Crawford: Bookkeeper Jenny Heinzen: Curriculum and Training Coordinator Elizabeth Hittman: Milwaukee Director Nick Hylla: Executive Director Ellie Jackson: Events Coordinator Matt Keller: Administrative Assistant Steve Knudsen: Certificate Program Coordinator Kevin Kowalski: Program Coordinator Chris Leslie: Information Technology Manager Gina Miresse: Membership Coordinator Nicole Rice: Training Network Coordinator Clay Sterling: Regional Training Officer Doug Stingle: Development Director Amiee Wetmore: Operations Manager Mike White: Site Manager
ReNew the Earth Institute
The ReNew the Earth Institute (REI) is the MREA’s demonstration site and educational facility with a variety of working renewable energy systems (Solar Electric, Solar Domestic Hot Water, Solar Hot Air, Wind, and masonry stove) and educational displays. Visitors to the REI can take guided and self-guided tours of the facilities and renewable energy systems. We are excited to announce a number of new systems that were installed in 2013, and want to thank those companies and organizations for their generous donations: • 3 kW PV array in the REI parking lot (Installed by MREA’s PV lab class). Ground mount racking donated by U.S. Solar Mounts. • 3 kW PV array in field. System install and all equipment donated by U.S. Solar Mounts. • 1.26 kW PV on REI roof (Installed by MREA’s PV lab class). Modules donated by Kyocera. • 1.47 kW PV array on REI roof (Installed by MREA’s Julie Brazeau). Modules donated by Kyocera. Inverter donated by SMA featuring new Emergency Power Supply (EPS). • An Effecta wood gasification boiler was installed in our North Building by North Wind Renewable Energy - who tied it into the hydronic heating system for both MREA buildings. Equipment and labor donated in part by North Wind Renewable Energy, Up North Alternative Energy Solutions and Effecta. Other changes to the REI and MREA grounds include: • The new Forest Stage was built by our very own Mike White and Nick Hylla from lumber and re-used materials harvested from the MREA property. • We acquired a Kubota tractor. • A mobile solar thermal array is under construction and will be completed by end of year. • In 2012 MREA installed a solar heating system utilizing a generous donation from Caleffi Solar. Using 10 Caleffi Starmax 4’ x 10’ collectors MREA will be able to provide space heat to both of our buildings. The collectors are mounted on our North Building and provide radiant heat to the slab in the North Building in addition to heating the thermal mass sand bed under our main building.
Activities & Initiatives
MREA Community Concert Series – The MREA hosted a concert series as part of a larger initiative to build stronger community relationships, and integrate further into The Central Wisconsin Community. Though the reach of the MREA has spanned the Midwest and beyond, we’ve been based out of Central Wisconsin for over 20 years! We’d like to celebrate our fantastic community by hosting fun and FREE concerts at our new venue: The Forest Stage. Power Pack Illinois - The MREA is working with Kankakee Community College and the Illinois Green Economy Network to expand the Power Pack program in Illinois. We will be working to expand the Power Pack throughout the Midwest! Through this program, the MREA educates consumers about the benefits of solar energy and creates a unique solar purchasing program that promotes local businesses and local manufacturing. Solar Riverwest Group Buy Program - Home and business owners in the Riverwest neighborhood of Milwaukee took advantage of record low solar pricing through a limited-time solar group purchase program. The program helped residents invest in lower cost solar installations through the power of volume-purchasing. The MREA partnered with Milwaukee Shines and the Riverwest Co-op Association to run this successful program. To date, over 50 kW of solar has been installed! Wisconsin Solar Tour - See Renewables in Action with The Wisconsin Solar Tour! Homes and businesses around Wisconsin opened their doors for The 2013 Wisconsin Solar Tour. Attendees learned about renewable energy, green building techniques, and sustainable living ideas. Tour sites are owned, lived in, and worked in by ordinary people. They are helping others open the door to renewable energy. Solar Speakeasy – We held this fun event in Stevens Point to thank all of our volunteers and supporters. There was music, games, a photo both and dancing. Seeing RED: Seeing RED (Renewable Energy Development) is an effort by the MREA to engage leaders and visionaries in the renewable energy market to share their ideas. Seeing RED started at the MREA’s Annual Energy Fair. For three hours, 12 presenters from the front lines of clean energy action and advocacy in the Midwest explored the existing and upcoming innovations and advancements in renewable energy technology, financing, policy, design, education, politics, and partnerships. SeeingRED.org is an advancement of these discussions.
Financial Information MREA 2012 STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES Revenue and Public Support: Contributions and Grants Memberships Program Fees Sponsorships Net Merchandising Sales Advertising Interest Rental Income Other Total Revenue & Public Support Expenses: Program Services Management and General Total Expenses
$790,747 $159,043 $469,690 $127,544 $163 $26,438 $58 $4,080 $1,128
Dues and Insurance 2% Adver?sing Other 2% 1%
Prin?ng and Postage 3% Infrastructure 5% Meals and Travel 5%
Rent 8%
Outside services 23%
$1,269,971 $464,601
Net Assets: Loss on Disposal of Equipment ($950) Change in Net Assets ($153,526) Net Assets Beginning of Year $977,469 Net Assets End of Year $823,943
Staffing 43%
Supplies 8%
$1,581,996
$1,734,572
2012 Expenses
Other 2% Sponsorships 8%
Contribu:ons 9% Memberships 10%
Program Fees 30%
2012 Income
Grants 41%