Our History

Our Beginning

The Idaho Renewable Energy Association was founded in April of 2009 as the Idaho Solar Energy Society, a local non-profit 501c (3) chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. It was founded in response to an observed need in Idaho for an organization that could bring together all the local Idaho renewable energy companies. The need to provide a platform on which they could organize, exchange ideas and goals, and work together to improve the place of renewable energy in Idaho.

It wasn't too long after the association came into existence that our business membership base started growing quickly. As the scope of renewables that our business members represented expanded, we recognized the need to expand our reach into all areas of renewable energy. It was at this time that we changed our name to the Idaho Renewable Energy Association and the Board formed a new mission and vision for the association.

In the two years since we gained chapter status, we have managed to do two Statewide Renewable Energy Tours, donate an 8.4kW system to St Jude Children's Hospital, and will hopefully, soon pass a PV contractors license for Idaho.