Climate Curve

Primary Project Category:

Name of Project:

Year Project Originated:

Project Summary / Description:

Grow Solar Milwaukee is a community-based solar group buy program that expands equitable access to clean energy by helping homeowners and small businesses overcome barriers to going solar. Through partnerships with local governments and community organizations, the program combines public education, hands-on support, and bulk purchasing power to make solar energy more affordable, accessible, and easy to adopt. 

Participants receive free educational workshops, guidance on incentives and financing, and assistance through every step of the installation process. By aggregating demand, the program secures discounted pricing from vetted local installers, passing savings directly to participants while supporting local workforce development. Grow Solar Milwaukee will directly accelerate clean energy adoption, provide cost savings for solar installations, and work to ensure that the benefits of solar are shared equitably across low-income households and historically disadvantaged communities in Milwaukee.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses)', 'Reduces GHGs (e.g., projects that reduce sources of GHGs, such as through efficiency or other changes in consumption)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Our project empowers underrepresented groups because it aims to serve low-income neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Many of these communities have traditionally lacked access to clean energy opportunities due to high upfront costs, complex permitting processes, and limited awareness of available options and incentives. Through targeted outreach, trusted local partnerships, workshops, and one-on-one technical assistance, the program ensures that these communities can participate, accessing cost-saving benefits and moving towards energy independence. The program also emphasizes inclusive community engagement, encouraging residents to share knowledge within their neighborhoods, fostering leadership and a sense of collective responsibility.  

The MREA’s staff and leadership team reflect a commitment to inclusion, collaborating closely with diverse community stakeholders to guide program design and outreach. Grow Solar works with local organizations that prioritize diversity, equity, and workforce development, creating opportunities for women, people of color, and youth in the clean energy industry. In prioritizing equity at every level, our program aims to amplify the voices and participation of groups often underrepresented in the climate movement.