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BRAINERD — The nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors announced the launch of the Fields and Forest Solar Co-op to help northcentral Minnesota residents go solar together.
The co-op is an opportunity for homeowners and small businesses in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties to learn about solar energy and if it is right for them.
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“If you’ve ever thought about going solar, now’s your chance,” said John Anderson, Minnesota program director for Solar United Neighbors, in a news release. “As energy costs continue to climb, going solar is a way to get a handle on your electric bill by taking control of where your energy comes from.”
The solar co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in the five-county region. Together, solar co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality.
After a competitive bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors, which remains vendor neutral, solar co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. Joining the solar co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.
The Initiative Foundation and Rural Renewable Energy Alliance are partnering with Solar United Neighbors on the solar co-op.
“Solar energy helps communities thrive by generating power locally and reducing strain on the grid,” said Elizabeth Mboutchom, Clean Energy and Community Resiliency Program officer for the Initiative Foundation. “A solar co-op makes it easier for community members to learn about going solar and how it can save them money on their utility bills.”
United Neighbors has hosted 29 solar co-ops in Minnesota since 2018. According to the group’s estimates, the nearly 500 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: four megawatts of solar power, $12 million in local solar spending and more than 98 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets.
“Solar energy helps people control their energy costs and creates good, local jobs,” said Marc Morrison of the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance, which works on renewable energy projects in the Northland and is partnering with Solar United Neighbors on the co-op. “This solar co-op is a great opportunity to bring solar’s benefits to North Central Minnesota.”
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Solar United Neighbors will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at bit.ly/SolarCo-op .
“SUN provides an innovative example for how folks can band together to get solar installed in their communities,” said Joel Haskard, co-director of CERTs. “We’re excited to see this opportunity in north central Minnesota!”
Information meetings are planned for:
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Minnesota and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors hosts events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment and advocate for fair solar policies.
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