About North Wind
Expertise and support for your renewable energy solution
North Wind Renewable Energy is the leading renewable energy solution provider to both homeowners and businesses in central Wisconsin.
Our Specialties
North Wind Renewable Energy specializes in solar electric, solar hot water, and wind electric system design, installation, and maintenance. We are also certified solar electric, solar hot water, and wind electric site assessors.
All told, the North Wind team brings over 30 years of experience in a wide range of renewable energy activities, including design, installation, assessment, project management, consulting, and training.
Our Co-owners
Josh Stolzenburg – Chief Executive Officer
Josh Stolzenburg is an MREA certified solar electric, solar hot water, and wind electric site assessor as well as a full-service wind-electric installer and NABCEP Certified Solar Electric Installer™. He is also the utility infielder for North Wind—as the primary point of initial contact for customers, he takes pride in helping them learn more about their renewable energy options.
After spending his early twenties traveling the world, Josh settled in central Wisconsin in 2002. Before co-founding North Wind in 2007, he worked as a Madison-based lead meteorological tower technician and assisted MREA in the development and execution of its energy education programs. In his free time, Josh is a permaculture hobbyist and a strong supporter of local foods and local economy.
Karl Schwingel – Chief Technology Officer
Karl Schwingel is a NABCEP Certified Solar Thermal Installer™ and 10-year veteran of the renewable energy industry. Prior to co-founding North Wind, Karl served as a technician and project manager for two prominent renewable energy installation firms in the Midwest. To date, he has completed over 60 solar hot water system installations as well as 24 solar electric and 12 wind electric systems installations.
Karl is a naturalized Wisconsinite and graduate of Northland College in Ashland, WI, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental and Public Policy Studies. He is looking forward to expanding his renewable energy experience from designing and installing systems to teaching what he knows to future renewable energy experts.
Craig Buttke – Chief Operating Officer
Craig Buttke is a NABCEP Certified Solar Electric Installer™ and an experienced solar energy professional. He is responsible for managing all North Wind solar electric system design, installation, and servicing activities. Prior to joining North Wind, Craig was a solar electric foreman with Sun Light & Power in Berkeley, CA, where he led teams responsible for the construction of commercial-scale solar electric systems as large as 4.7 MW.
Craig is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Environmental Ethics and German. Craig is passionate about renewable energy, good local food, and supporting local businesses. He is happiest when making his children laugh and when working with his hands.
Co-owner Josh Stolzenburg
Co-owner Karl Schwingel
Co-owner Craig Buttke