Solar is coming to a pair of apartment complexes in downtown Austin.
According to a release Thursday, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) of Austin announced it had been awarded funding through the Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings Program to install solar energy systems at both Chauncey Apartments and Courtyard Apartments.
Construction is expected to begin this spring, marking an important step forward in the HRA’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and long-term reinvestment in its apartment communities.
“This project is a great example of how we can use state and federal resources to make smart, forward-looking investments in our apartment communities,” said Taggert Medgaarden, Executive Director of the HRA of Austin. “By reducing operating costs through renewable energy, we can reinvest those savings back into long-term improvements that will benefit residents for years to come.”
Each property will receive its own solar installation. Together, the projects will consist of two separate 40 kWh solar energy systems, one at Chauncey Apartments and one at Courtyard Apartments. The electricity generated will help offset the cost of power used in the buildings’ common areas, such as shared lighting and other resident-serving spaces.
The projects are funded through a combination of state and federal clean energy support:
Approximately 70% of the project cost will be covered through the awarded funding from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings Program
The remaining 30% will be funded through the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), claimed through the “Elective Pay” (Direct Pay) provision available to local units of government under the Inflation Reduction Act
This funding structure allows the HRA to move forward with these projects while minimizing costs to the properties and maximizing available renewable energy resources.
Solar Panel Location and Community Benefits
“The Board is pleased to support projects that strengthen our properties while planning responsibly for the future,” said Vern Lippert, chair of the HRA of Austin Board of Commissioners. “Investing in renewable energy helps ensure long-term sustainability and continued reinvestment in our housing communities.”
The solar panels will be installed in the southeast green space areas of each property. These locations were selected to provide optimal sun exposure while minimizing disruption to residents.
The annual cost savings generated by these solar systems will be reinvested into long-term capital improvement projects planned for the years ahead, supporting the continued quality and sustainability of both apartment communities.

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