Grow Solar Green Bay-Fox Valley 2026 RFP

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is seeking qualified solar installation firms to design, procure, and install residential and small commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems as part of a bulk purchasing program in Brown, Outagamie, and Winnebago Counties, Wisconsin. The selected firm(s) will participate in a group buy program intended to reduce installation costs through lower customer acquisition expenses, group purchasing, and economies of scale. The program includes a minimum of six free public information sessions (Solar Power Hours) scheduled between May and August 2026, with marketing support including email blasts, paid social media promotion, and press releases.

Installations may begin as early as June 2026, with all systems required to be completed and operational by February 28, 2027, unless an extension is granted. The selected contractor will be responsible for all aspects of PV installations including securing required permits (building and electrical), completing incentive applications (Focus on Energy rebates and Inflation Reduction Act incentives), scheduling and passing inspections, ensuring interconnection agreements with utilities, providing energy efficiency information, and assisting with federal tax credit documentation. The selected firm must provide free site assessments and cost estimates to all participants and must be a Focus on Energy trade ally and an IRA registered contractor.

Key timeline dates include: RFP questions due March 6, 2026; firm selection March 23-27, 2026; participant list available to contractor April 2, 2026; participants make go/no-go decisions September 30, 2026. The contractor must provide weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly progress reports to the MREA including lead status, scheduled assessments, contract signings, system details, pricing information, permit closure dates, payback analysis, and estimated first-year production. The MREA reserves the right to review site assessments and cost estimates to ensure completeness and accuracy.