Solar energy advocates are backing new state legislation to make solar power more affordable and accessible to residents, as part of Minnesota’s broader push toward clean energy and helping communities manage energy costs.
“We’re trying to promote more solar energy and pass good solar policy at the state level,” Patty O’Keefe said, Midwest regional director for Vote Solar. “The goal is to increase the number of people who have access to solar and make it more affordable.”
O’Keefe said the new proposals aim to help groups such as renters or residents who do not own their property.
“We want to make solar accessible to people who maybe haven’t been able to access it in the past,” O’Keefe said.
Now, this push is being seen on the state policy level. The Solar on Public Buildings grant program helps local governments cut energy costs by installing solar panels on public buildings across the state.
The program provides funding to cities, counties and tribal nations to install solar arrays on city halls, fire stations and community centers, according to Kristen Glazer, communications director at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
The program can cover up to 70% of a project’s cost for solar systems up to 40 kilowatts built on or near public buildings, according to John-Michael Cross, solar coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
“So far we have 204 projects that have executed grant agreements,” Cross said. “We have about 30 more projects in the works.”
Since launching in 2024, the program has awarded more than $18 million in grants across 86 local governments in Minnesota. It has supported 199 projects so far, with more in progress, Glazer said.
Cross said each solar installation is expected to generate long-term savings for communities, with net benefits ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 over a 25-year span.
While the solar panels are installed on public buildings such as city halls or community facilities, the benefits extend beyond those buildings, according to Cross.
“If you’re living in a community that is sitting on one of these systems, that’s going to provide savings to the local government,” Cross said. “Those are tax dollars that won’t go to that building’s energy bill and can be spent for other uses in the community.”
The program is funded through a combination of state tax dollars and ratepayer funds, including contributions from Xcel Energy through the state’s Renewable Development Account. Cross said he recommends talking to a local town clerk or council member to learn more about these systems in your community.
However, the program also faces some challenges.
“In more rural Minnesota, they may not have as many staff or resources to figure out solar opportunities,” Cross said.
The program provides technical assistance to help communities evaluate whether solar energy makes sense for their buildings and guide them through the installation process.
“It wasn’t just a simple process of us awarding money,” Cross said.
Expanding solar energy has not always been easy, when looking at the issue through a political lens. O’Keefe said renewable energy policies have become increasingly partisan in recent years.
She said opposition often comes from industries invested in traditional energy systems built around fossil fuel power plants.
“Solar and wind are offering an alternative to fossil fuels,” O’Keefe said. “It means our energy system will look different from what it has in the past.”
Solar energy is one of the most affordable forms of electricity generation, O’Keefe said, and their use can help reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
“Solar and wind are the cheapest forms of energy per kilowatt hour,” O’Keefe said. “There’s no fuel when it comes to solar. It’s just the sun.”
Beyond these benefits, O’Keefe said solar energy could also change who controls electricity production. With these changes, she sees more opportunities for Minnesota residents to own their own energy.
Similar solar policies have passed in other states with backing from both political parties, O’Keefe added.
“We’re hopeful that these bills are beneficial to a broad range of people so that they can move forward,” O’Keefe said.
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