MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – Cooperative Energy Futures, a Minnesota community-owned clean energy cooperative, is looking to build a community-owned solar garden near Minneopa State Park which would connect with the Xcel Energy power grid.
“We’re really creating a culture of energy owners and not just energy users,” CEF Community Outreach and Engagement Team Manager Kyle Samejima said.
CEF said the solar garden will cost upwards of $2 million and will produce 1,217-kilowatts. The solar garden would go up no later than January if CEF gets enough subscribers.
“Community members can own a portion of that energy and get a bill credit,” Samejima said.
Because the solar panels connect to the power grid and not individual homes, renters can also participate in the co-op.
“I talk to people and they say, well, I need to talk to my landlord. As long as the renter pays their electric bill. The landlord doesn’t need to be involved in this in any way, shape or form,” CEF outreach and engagement representative Bryn Shank said.
CEF pays for the solar garden and households will sign a 25-year contract to become a subscriber, which is a state requirement.
“If for some reason you want to leave the program, you’re moving out of state, we can take care of that. We will move your subscription to someone else,” Samejima said.
CEF says households will receive a tax credit, usually around 15-20% of their electric bill. Part of this tax credit money is then used to pay for the subscription fee.
“So, you’re always getting a net savings, you’re always like ahead financially. In this type of program, there are no upfront costs,” Samejima said.
And if for some reason the panels don’t produce, subscribers won’t owe anything.
“It’s clean, and it’s not any source of pollution. It’s helping to address climate change and global warming,” Shank said.
To learn more about CEF and its project visit https://www.cooperativeenergyfutures.com/.
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