Clean Energy
Solar Power Rocks (solarpowerrocks.com/minnesota) estimates that you can cover 50% of your electricity needs on a 400 sq ft roof and increase your property value by over $6,000 by installing solar photovoltaic panels. A solar hot water heater is significantly cheaper, just under $3,000 after rebates according to Solar Minnesota (solarminnesota.org). Solar hot water can reduce your hot water bill by 80%.

Your neighborhood, school, or place of worship can start a clean energy project with the help of Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams, or CERTs (cleanenergyresourceteams.org). CERTs will help connect you to resources, education, and volunteers to help launch your project, or set you up with a group already at work. One example is the Southeast Como Neighborhood Solar Thermal Project, where neighbors teamed together to receive a bulk discount on solar panels.

Purchase Green Power
The average customer of Xcel Energy (using less than 1,000 kWh per month) can buy 100% wind power for less than $25 per month. The program is called Windsource (xcelenergy.com), and it’s the largest voluntary renewable energy program in the nation. Great River Energy (greatriverenergy.com) reports that it receives approximately 23% of its electricity from renewables, though it depends on your co-op.

Home Wind Power Production
If you live in a rural area, or are part of a community with some extra space, you may be a candidate for producing wind energy with your own turbine and selling excess energy back to your utility through net metering. Wind Powering America (windpoweringamerica.gov) is a good place to start searching for state incentives and assistance for small wind projects. The Minnesota Department of Commerce (energy.mn.gov) will help you determine your Wind Resource Assessment and has information.