Madison, WI — [8/1/2024] — SolarShare Wisconsin Cooperative, an innovative cooperative created to help fund community-based solar projects, proudly announces that it has successfully raised $1 million in total investment. This significant milestone has helped to fund three solar projects in Wisconsin to date and paves the way for the Cooperative to provide funding to support an additional thirteen projects in Wisconsin over the next two years.
The cooperative’s commitment to renewable energy is reflected in its innovative approach to financing and developing solar projects that benefit Wisconsin residents. SolarShare pools investment from its member investors to fund projects that are designed, developed, or built by its member contractors. SolarShare’s member contractors include OneEnergy Renewables, Arch Solar, Current Electric, Northwind Solar, and Ethos Green Energy Cooperative, all with offices based in Wisconsin.
“We are thrilled to reach this $1 million investment milestone,” said Cory Neeley, Executive Director of SolarShare Wisconsin Cooperative. “We have over 190 member investors from across 81 different communities in Wisconsin and each of our members is dedicated to helping build a brighter future for ALL in Wisconsin.”
Because membership is available to any person or business located in Wisconsin, and members can invest for as little as $500, the cooperative helps regular people participate in the clean energy economy. Neeley noted that “one of the founding principles is that everyone that wants to invest in clean energy, should be able to do that. We are talking about factory workers, farmers, librarians and other people from all walks of life investing side-by-side to grow solar in their own state.”
“SolarShare was created by RENEW Wisconsin members with funding from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation,” said Jodi Jean Amble, Deputy Director at RENEW Wisconsin. “The goal was to increase investment in community-scale, 1-5 megawatt solar projects in Wisconsin because Wisconsin lagged other midwestern states in developing these types of projects.”
Since its first year of operation in 2022, SolarShare has helped fund three community-scale solar projects in Wisconsin, each developed, engineered and constructed by OneEnergy Renewables. These projects will provide cost-effective clean energy to utilities and their customers for decades, helping to reduce our state’s reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, these projects offer distinct economic advantages by creating local jobs, reducing energy costs, and keeping our energy dollars within the state.
Member investor Barbara Springer of rural Iowa County noted that “SolarShare gave me the chance to help with Wisconsin’s transition to clean, renewable energy. As a grandmother, that means a lot to me.”
As part of its mission, SolarShare WI Co-op continues to engage with local stakeholders including schools, government, and businesses to promote sustainable energy practices and policies. The cooperative’s efforts are aligned with Wisconsin’s goals for renewable energy expansion and carbon reduction, contributing to the state’s overall environmental and economic well-being.
For more information about SolarShare WI Co-op and its community solar projects, please visit SolarShare.coop or contact Cory Neeley at 608-358-3852 or cory@solarshare.coop .
About SolarShare WI Cooperative
SolarShare WI Cooperative democratizes clean energy investment in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Madison, WI, the cooperative was formed in 2021 to help grow Wisconsin’s solar industry while allowing residents and businesses from the state to invest in community-scale solar projects. The cooperative’s membership includes member investors and member contractors from across the state working together to build a brighter future for ALL in Wisconsin. For more information on SolarShare WI Cooperative, visit solarshare.coop
