Led by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), the Grow Solar Partnership began in 2012 with funding from the US Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. With an initial focus on reducing PV systems permitting and inspection costs and advancing model financing in three Wisconsin cities, the partnership expanded efforts to Illinois and Minnesota with the expansion of the Power Pack Program and the development of the Solar Powering the Midwest Conference Series.

With renewed support from SunShot as part of the Rooftop Solar Challenge, Grow Solar is now working with a network of regional partners to leverage private, local, and state support to advance activities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan that 1) facilitate the adoption of solar permitting, planning, and zoning best practices by municipalities, 2) develop model finance arrangements for solar installations, 3) build workforce capacity to properly design, sell, and interconnect code-compliant PV systems, and 4) improve rules, standards and policies to provide a framework for sustainable solar market growth.

If you are interested in learning more or joining the Grow Solar Partnership, email us at peterm@midwestrenew.org.