Communities across Minnesota are looking to take action on clean energy projects, but sometimes knowing where to start, who to involve, and how to get from an idea to a completed project are steps that make the process seem daunting.
Making those difficult steps easier, and getting through them faster, is the focus of the Clean Energy Accelerator, a new project of the Metro Clean Energy Resource Team (Metro CERT).
Eight groups, listed below, have been selected to receive support from Metro CERT with their clean energy projects through the “Deep Assistance” track of the Clean Energy Accelerator.
Community Solar Gardens: Community Solar Gardens have quickly become one of the hottest energy topics in Minnesota. Xcel Energy’s program received over 400 applications for solar gardens in its first week, and several other utilities already have projects underway. With the advent of this new opportunity to participate in local solar power, many local units of government are considering their role in Minnesota’s new Community Solar Garden market. Metro CERT will be working with the following entities on projects related to Community Solar Gardens:
- Hennepin County
- City of Minneapolis
- City of Maplewood
- City of Mahtomedi
- City of Edina
- Minnesota Renewable Energy Society
Public Building Benchmarking: Even as solar power is gaining traction, energy efficiency remains the most cost effective way to save energy and money. One of the first steps in becoming more energy efficient is to measure and benchmark your energy usage — as the saying goes, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Proactive local governments continue to keep this mantra in mind as they look at smart ways to manage costs and become more resource efficient. Metro CERT will support the following cities with tracking and managing energy use through the State of Minnesota’s B3 Benchmarking program:
- City of St. Louis Park
- City of Roseville
Stay tuned to learn more about the efforts being undertaken by each of these communities!
For more information on the Clean Energy Accelerator, check out our web page on the project, or contact Trevor Drake, Metro CERT Coordinator, at trevor@cleanenergyresourceteams.org or 612-767-7291.
