Community Solar Gardens are centrally-located solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers, and they’re taking root in Minnesota. Here at CERTs we wanted to learn more about the experiences of subscribers in Minnesota and share them with others who are curious about community solar.
Meet Christine and Tom: Christine and Tom Custer live in Brownsville, MN and are both wildlife biologists at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, WI. They’re offsetting much of their average monthly electrical usage with the solar panels they purchased through Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s Renewable Rays community solar garden.
CERTs: Why did you decide to subscribe to the Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s Renewable Rays community solar project?
Christine and Tom: We believe that we are all personally responsible for minimizing our impact on the earth and it’s resources. This was one way to ensure that some greater proportion of the electricity that we use monthly is from renewable sources.
CERTs: What was the process like to subscribe?
C & T: Tri-County Electric Cooperative made it easy to subscribe. They had a well-thought-out plan and implemented it efficiently and effectively. Kudos to the thoughtful folks at TEC!
CERTs: How did you decide how much solar to get?
C & T: We added additional solar panels once we were assured that everyone who wanted at least one solar panel had the opportunity to buy in. We bought as many panels as would cover our minimum monthly electrical usage.
CERTs: What has the impact been on your energy bill?
C & T: Not much right now. It’s winter with overcast days and the sun is low in the sky, so the output is often low. The impact will be variable depending on the time of year and electrical usage that month.
CERTs: What are you doing to tell others about community solar, if anything?
C & T: I talk with friends and colleagues at work and have told them about this project.
CERTs: What would you tell a friend if they asked about community solar gardens?
C & T: Go for it! Buy in if you have the funds. It’s a hedge against future rate increases, plus you feel good about doing something positive for the environment.
To learn more about the Tri-County Electric Cooperative Renewable Rays community solar garden, click here to visit their website. You can also check out the map and photos below.
Community solar garden location:
Check out photos below to see the community solar garden grow:
Watch a video of the community solar garden dedication:
More interviews with community solar subscribers:
- Douglas and Dennis Falch of Winona, MN
- Eric Schilling and family of Ham Lake, MN
- David Schmidt of Corcoran, MN
- Rachel and John Egan of Blaine, MN
- Jim and Carol Johnson of Pelican Rapids, MN
- Gary and Betty Dagen of Barnesville, MN
Community Solar Gardens are centrally-located solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers. Could it work for you?Are you interested in going solar but unable to do so on your own? Perhaps you live in an apartment, have a shaded roof at home, or don’t have space at your organization. Where do you want to start? |
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