Cheq Bay Renewables
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to make renewable energy more accessible in Ashland and Bayfield counties
About us
Key Initiatives

Recent News

September 21, 2025, Bayfield County and CBR co-host Sun Day.  The national sponsored event was held at the Courthouse Annex and included an overview of energy projects in Bayfield County facilities followed by a tour of the Courthouse/Jail microgrid.  More information here.
July 8, 2025, CBR presented an update to the Chequamegon Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby about area clean energy projects.  You can view the slide deck here.
November 3, 2024, Bayfield County and Red Cliff receive US Department of Energy official notification of project award and start date.  Bayfield County, including the Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Indians, 17 communities within Bayfield County, and three private businesses will now begin their $12.2M project to install 27 microgrids and Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure throughout Bayfield County.  A project fact sheet can be read here.  More information here.
August 21, 2024, Bad River receives US Department of Energy official notification of project award and start date.  The Bad River Band will now begin their $17.6M "Minigrid" project to install 5MW of solar and 8MWH of battery storage.  A project fact sheet can be read here, and a community benefits summary can be read here.
May 24, 2024, City of Ashland receives Rural Energy Startup Program (RESP) grant from WI Office of Energy Innovation.  The $75K award will provide funding to complete a renewable energy feasibility study for up to 5 key city-owned facilities.  Jolma Electric, of Ashland, will be completing the study.
May 23, 2024, Gov. Evers and the WI DOT announce first round of EV infrastructure funding.  Two sites have been selected locally, Kwik Trip store on Ashland's west end, and Twin Gables Cafe in Brule. The full list on recipients is here. Each site will have a minimum of four DC fast chargers.  
April 22, 2024, Biden-Harris Administration announces $7B for Solar for All Program.  Of the 60 selectees, 2 will have direct impact on Northern Wisconsin.  Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will receive a grant of $62,450,000, while MTERA (Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association) is set to receive $62,330,000.  The focus of this program is solar PV for low-income residents.  Expect to see a lot more solar going up in Bad River and Ashland County over the next several years!
April 19, 2024, Town of La Pointe receives grant funding for Emergency Services Building Microgrid.  The $142,310 grant from the State of Wisconsin's Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) was funded through the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA).  The microgrid will add solar PV and battery storage to the building and be able to operate with or without the support of the electric grid. Jolma Electric of Ashland will install the system and was selected through competitive bid. 
February 27, 2024, BIG DAY FOR THE CHEQUAMEGON BAY AREA.  Today, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations announced funding for two area projects.  The press release can be read here.  Bad River will receive funding for a $17,6M microgrid project and Bayfield County and Red Cliff will receive funding for $12.2M of projects.  The Bayfield County/Red Cliff project application was submitted by Wisconsin's Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy with all benefits going to the County and Red Cliff. Here is the Governor's office Press Release. This is a very big story for the area and much more will be shared.  Here is a short summary of what is included in the Bayfield County/Red Cliff project.
Visit the News page for archived articles.
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Upcoming Events & Calendar

Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 5pm, Bayfield County Energy Presentation, at the Bayfield County Courthouse Board Room (second floor).  A repeat of the Sun Day presentation held on Sept. 21 for those who missed it.  The presentation will cover past, present, and future energy initiatives and document successes and challenges with sustainable energy goals. Presented by Bill Bailey of CBR.
Listen to WVCB 97.7FM Episode 8 Pulse of the Bay hosted by Fred Clark and featuring Bill Bussey and Bill Bailey talking about current renewable energy initiatives in the Cheq Bay area.  Link here.

Featured Examples

The Bayfield Rec Center has completed its 75kW solar PV installation and started producing electricity on July 25, 2025.  Read more about the project here.
Northern Lights Services' 120kW grid-tied solar array was commissioned on December 6, 2024.  It is the first large system in our area featuring bifacial panels coupled with an energy meter to track the increased efficiency from the panels.  Red more about the project here.
Chequamegon Humane Association (CHA), in Ashland, successfully installs community funded 15kW solar array.   The array went live in August 2023 with celebration and ribbon cutting on August 24th.  Jolma Electric, of Ashland, was the installation contractor.   Read more here.