Solar Twin Cities group buy program empowers metro communities

Property owners are looking at solar to reduce their carbon emissions from fossil fuels, reduce costs, protect against rising utility prices, and achieve a measure of energy freedom. A lack of education prevents homeowners from achieving these goals. The MREA empowers homeowners with informational Solar Power Hour events and an incentivized group solar buy program.

The Solar Twin Cities Group Buy Program included 15 Solar Power Hour events in communities including City of Eden Prairie, Oakdale, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Roseville, St Louis Park, White Bear Lake, and the City of Woodbury.

During the events, participants learned four basic building blocks of solar energy:

1. Solar market trends
2. Basic components of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems
3. The PV solar installation process
4. Economic incentives and benefits 

In addition, participants were offered a $.30/watt rebate off of their system if they joined a group purchase of high value, low cost solar energy. Across these events, more than 35 participants were inspired to go solar in 2019.

As a new organization in a large market (seven counties!), the MREA found promotion to be the greatest challenge. Solar energy is a high-cost investment of $7-43k, and Solar Power Hours compete with many events in the summer season they were held during! MREA overcame the challenge to meet their goal of more than 200kW of solar energy signed up!

Three key lessons were learned in the process:

1. Plan and promote events well in advance! Some of the Solar Power Hour events were added through the season rather than ahead of time, so they weren’t promoted equally. Know the location, date, and time before launching to the public, and leave time for three to four weeks of promotion before the first event. 
2. Make sure to use the right promotional channels! The MREA used their website, Facebook page, and member list, the Solar Twin Cities website, CERTs calendar of events, Nextdoor, and community newsletters and Facebook and Twitter posts. 
3. Get volunteers involved! Volunteers can boost awareness by networking and tabling at local events. 

The MREA sought strong community connection. By design, the MREA received active support from municipalities for (1) Hosting Solar Power Hours in city hall council chambers or community centers (13 of 15 events); and (2) Promoting Solar Power Hours via websites, Facebook and Twitter posts, community newsletters, the CERTs calendar of events, and Nextdoor with the help of community staff. In addition, the MREA reached out to various environmental non-profit organizations to assist with outreach via their networks, including: Alliance for Sustainability, MN350.org, Sierra Club, and others.