MRSAP Phase Two Report: Community Engagement

MRSAP Phase Two Report: Community Engagement

In 2020, MREA launched the Montana Rural Solar Access Project with the goal of ensuring that our rural communities across the state have access to the independence, cost savings, and resiliency that distributed solar can offer. In the Summer of 2020, we kicked off Phase One of the project with a research and literature review to understand how rural communities have gained access to distributed solar development in other states, what opportunities and challenges those communities faced, and how organizations like ours could bring these best practices to Montana. This year, we launched Phase Two to ‘ground truth’ this research…
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Reflections on the ASES Tour in Montana

Reflections on the ASES Tour in Montana

Calhoun's solar-powered home in Whitefish, MT Every year the American Solar Energy Society holds their National Solar Tour, which encourages households and businesses with solar to host voluntary tours that local community members can attend. The tour provides opportunities across the country to learn from the tried-and-true experience of solar customers who have already gone through the process of installation. Here in Montana, we had participants across the state open their homes, in-person or virtually, to demonstrate their solar systems and answer questions about the process, and the benefits. Lee Calhoun, owner of Northstone Solar, participated for the first time…
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ASES National Solar Tour in Montana, Oct. 2-3

ASES National Solar Tour in Montana, Oct. 2-3

Join a local Montana event! The annual National Solar Tour - organized by the American Solar Energy Society - is coming up this weekend! Touring a local installation is an opportunity for community members to see the technology, ask questions, and understand how solar is benefiting the lives and businesses of their neighbors. This is a great way to support the development of solar in Montana. We hope you can attend one of these Montana based events! Click on the links below to see the location, times, and featured technologies (like solar, storage, heat pumps, and more). Virtual events will…
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MREA Gives Back: Whitehall Net-Zero Energy Affordable Housing Project

MREA Gives Back: Whitehall Net-Zero Energy Affordable Housing Project

December 2020 marked the 20th anniversary of MREA's founding. Two decades ago, a small group of renewable energy installers, advocates, and supporters formalized what would grow into the education and advocacy organization that we are today. We are grateful for the immense support from our communities and combined efforts driving the development of renewable energy in Montana! In continuing our mission of expanding renewables to all Montana citizens, MREA is celebrating our 20th year by 'giving back' and supporting clean energy projects that impact the lives of our broader communities. While we can't grant funds ourselves, our goal is to…
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MREA Gives Back: Habitat for Humanity Workforce Housing Solar

MREA Gives Back: Habitat for Humanity Workforce Housing Solar

December 2020 marked the 20th anniversary of MREA's founding. Two decades ago, a small group of renewable energy installers, advocates, and supporters formalized what would grow into the education and advocacy organization that we are today. We are grateful for the immense support from our communities and combined efforts driving the development of renewable energy in Montana! In continuing our mission of expanding renewables to all Montana citizens, MREA is celebrating our 20th year by 'giving back' and supporting clean energy projects that impact the lives of our broader communities. While we can't grant funds ourselves, our goal is to…
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Show Me the Money: Financing and Incentive Updates and Changes in 2020

Show Me the Money: Financing and Incentive Updates and Changes in 2020

As the cost of renewable energy continues to drop, more Montanans are choosing to install distributed energy systems like rooftop solar and small wind. When considering an installation, there are important financing and incentive options to keep in mind. Some of these have gone through some changes - or nearly so - in the past year. In this blog post, we highlight three updates and changes to important financing and incentives that Montanans should be aware of as you look to install small solar and wind systems at your home, business, farm or ranch in 2020 and beyond. Net metering…
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Clean Energy Fair Slideshow

Clean Energy Fair Slideshow

Thank you, Bozeman, for another successful Fair! We were thrilled at the turnout, and enjoyed an excellent day with experts, advocates, and supporters of all things renewable energy. Thank you to our generous sponsors, the businesses who took the time to table at the event, the electric vehicle owners who put their cars on display, the and all of the Montanans who came to the Fair. Please enjoy some of the photos from the Fair below! In 2020 MREA will be celebrating our 20th anniversary as an organization and our 10th year organization the Montana Clean Energy Fair. To honor…
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2019 MT Clean Energy Fair Workshops Announced

2019 MT Clean Energy Fair Workshops Announced

9th Annual Montana Clean Energy Fair  Saturday, August 9th at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds The 2019 Fair will feature ten workshops designed to educate and inspire. The workshops cover everything from solar PV basics to off-grid living, from energy storage to electric vehicles, and from policy to financing – we have something for everyone! New in 2019: after the Fair we have set up self-guided tours of solar arrays on a nearby net-zero home and local business. Read on to learn more about 2019 Workshop Series! Find out more on the Fair webpage, and RSVP on Facebook here. 10:00 am: Solar…
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Who You'll Meet at the Fair, Part 3: Energy Experts and Professionals

Who You'll Meet at the Fair, Part 3: Energy Experts and Professionals

The 8th Annual Montana Renewable Energy Fair is coming to Bozeman. From 9am to 4pm on Saturday, August 11th, individuals from around the state will meet in Bozeman to rally under a common banner of supporting renewable energy and learning more about its various benefits for Montanans. Taking place at the Gallatin Country Fairgrounds (901 N. Black Ave.), visitors will get the chance to experience a variety of workshops, exhibits and activities all centered around clean energy. The fair will include: demonstrations of solar, wind, and energy efficiency technologies and concepts; an electric car show; activities for kids; and, of…
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Who You'll Meet at the Fair, Part 2: Industry Leaders

Who You'll Meet at the Fair, Part 2: Industry Leaders

The 8th Annual Montana Renewable Energy Fair is coming to Bozeman. From 9am to 4pm on Saturday, August 11th, individuals from around the state will meet in Bozeman to rally under a common banner of supporting renewable energy and learning more about its various benefits for Montanans. Taking place at the Gallatin Country Fairgrounds (901 N. Black Ave.), visitors will get the chance to experience a variety of workshops, exhibits and activities all centered around clean energy. The fair will include: demonstrations of solar, wind, and energy efficiency technologies and concepts; an electric car show; activities for kids; and, of…
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