Grow Solar Milwaukee-Waukesha Returns with Larger Footprint!

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is thrilled to announce the return of the Grow Solar Milwaukee-Waukesha program for 2026. Building on over 16 years of experience with solar programs across the Midwest, this group buying program is an opportunity for residents of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Washington and Ozaukee counties to purchase a home solar system at a below-market cost.

Partnering once again with the Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO) and the Waukesha County Green Team, the Grow Solar program offers discounted solar installations to homeowners and small businesses, allowing them to take control of their energy costs at a moment when they are rapidly rising.

“Electricity prices are being pushed higher,” says Frankie Fuller, a resident of Fort Atkinson and a program partner with Heart of the City. “We need to depend on clean energy resources and use them as practically and as often as possible.”

Thankfully, solar energy is one of the most effective hedges a homeowner can make against rising energy costs. "Investing in solar means securing lower electric bills for many years ahead," says Evonne Waugh, Grow Solar’s program manager. “Once panels are installed, you generate a portion of your own electricity, which allows you to ‘lock in’ much lower costs.”

The MREA’s Grow Solar program originated as a small-scale neighborhood effort in Milwaukee in 2013. Since then, programs have resulted in over 3 megawatts of new clean energy generation being added across Milwaukee, Waukesha and Jefferson Counties, producing millions of kilowatt-hours of clean electricity every year.

“Previous Grow Solar initiatives in our area have already helped over 400 households go solar,” shares Jeremy Belot, Sustainability Coordinator for Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office. “Through our partnership with MREA, we’re excited to help even more residents, small businesses, non-profits and houses of worship harvest solar power for their energy needs.”

Going solar with a group buy can unlock additional savings. By joining together as a community, participants take advantage of the power of bulk buying, resulting in lower prices than a consumer could and find on their own outside the program. To explain how it all works, Grow Solar will host free educational sessions over the next four months, known as "Solar Power Hours”. After these sessions, interested homeowners will be connected with a trusted, independently-selected installer for personalized site assessments and project proposals.

This year a committee of local stakeholders selected Full Spectrum Solar to serve the program. "We’re honored to be selected and trusted by the MREA and local organizations for the Milwaukee-Waukesha group buy,” says Full Spectrum Solar project manager Brent Janssen. “We look forward to helping area homeowners and businesses take advantage of all available incentives and gain control of their energy costs with renewable energy.”

In addition to the lower base price and group buy rebates, incentives can make solar even more affordable. “Federal tax credits are still available for non-residential entities like nonprofits or small businesses," Jeremy Belot says. “And residents can take advantage of an increased Focus On Energy solar rebate, federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives and access to financing with a Milwaukee Shines loan from Summit Credit Union. All combined, these savings make 2026 a smart year to invest in solar.”

The program's free Solar Power Hours will be hosted throughout the spring and summer, both in-person and virtually. Our next webinar will be held on July 2 at noon. There are multiple in person educational opportunities in Waukesha County, including a Solar Power Hour at the Waukesha Public Library on July 23 at 6:30, the Brookfield Public Library on July 29 at 6:00pm, and the New Berlin Public Library August 26 at 2:00pm

To see the full schedule and register for a Power Hour, visit www.growsolar.org/milwaukee-waukesha.

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The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration.

Grow Solar Milwaukee-Waukesha, led by the MREA, the Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office and the Waukesha County Green Team, facilitates group buying of solar panels to make solar energy accessible and affordable for residents and businesses in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Ozaukee and Washington Counties.