Title
Advancing Minnesota's Community Solar Access in Municipally and Cooperatively Owned Electric Territories
Abstract
The goal of the research and this report is to develop a reference guide to existing resources on Community Solar Gardens (CSG), write a case study and practical reference for Municipalities and Cooperatives interested in developing a CSG, and create a CSG customer interest communication tool. The project will be freely accessible assemblage of Community Solar Garden resources. This will be shared with Minnesota communities wishing to undertake community solar projects.
Description
Most residents in Central MN do not have access to clean solar energy because of a lack of any one of the following 1) Financial ability to make a large purchase with benefits spread out over many years 2) Technical understanding and ability to manage a privately owned solar asset, or 3) Ownership of a suitable property for a solar installation. The Community Solar Garden (CSG) model overcomes all of these barriers, providing a solar energy ownership opportunity for all subscription eligible residents despite housing and income situations. A student research assistant is needed to develop a reference guide to existing resources on Community Solar Gardens, write a case study and practical reference for Municipalities and Cooperatives interested in developing a CSG and create a CSG customer interest communication tool. The project will result in a freely accessible assemblage of Community Solar Garden resources. This along with a framework of best practices for developing a Community Solar Garden will be freely shared with MN communities wishing to undertake a community solar project.
Funding information
Prepared in partnership with Clean Energy Resource Teams by the Community Assistantship Program (CAP), which is administered by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota.
Suggested Citation
Schaefer, Connor.
(2016).
Advancing Minnesota's Community Solar Access in Municipally and Cooperatively Owned Electric Territories.
Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy,
https://hdl.handle.net/11299/181013.