North-central Minnesota's first-ever solar energy co-op launches

BRAINERD — A new cooperative has formed, intended to help north-central Minnesotans leverage their numbers to purchase solar energy at a competitive price.

Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors announced Monday, March 2, it launched the Fields and Forests Solar Co-op, which the organization says is the first of its kind in the region.

The solar co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties. Members will learn about solar energy and purchase individual solar systems with group buying power.

“If you’ve ever thought about going solar, now’s your chance,” stated 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.”

Solar United Neighbors reported it will facilitate a vendor-neutral competitive bidding process, after which 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 organization stated.

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,” stated 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."

SUN 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: 4 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. "This solar co-op is a great opportunity to bring solar's benefits to North Central Minnesota."

SUN 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 the solar co-op webpage. The last day to join the co-op is July 31.

Information meetings

• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9: Virtual. RSVP
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5: Initiative Foundation, 405 First St. SE, Little Falls. RSVP
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9: Crow Wing County Land Services building, 322 Laurel St., Brainerd. RSVP
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25: Virtual. RSVP