Building Equity Through Solar Energy

What is Rooftop Solar (Affordable Solar) Program?

Solar panels offer outstanding benefits, such as reducing utility bills by over 30%, increasing home value, and providing clean, renewable energy. In our program we are making solar panels more accessible, we are promoting equitable access to clean energy in Minneapolis and moving away from reliance on fossil fuels.

We are excited to announce our new collaboration with Cooperative Energy Futures. Together, we are helping low-income homeowners and renters receive solar panels for their properties at deeply affordable costs. By combining our visions, we are ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy clean energy and build generational wealth.

Think You Might Be a Good Fit?:

Great! We are now accepting pre-applications for Affordable Solar. Fill out the pre-application and we will get back to you within 30 days.

In order to qualify for the program renters and homeowners must either live in affordable housing or qualify for one or more public assistance programs listed below: 

  1. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants (income specifications here)

  2. LiHEAP participants (50% AMI, eligibility guidelines here)

  3. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

  4. Habitat for Humanity homeowners / homes under construction

  5. Community land trust homeowners (examples:City of Lakes Community Land Trust, Rondo Community Land Trust, etc.)

  6. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher users (50% AMI, eligibility guidelines here)

  7. Medical Assistance recipients (information here)

If you Identify as BIPOC (Black or Indigenous Person of Color); receive government assistance or Social Security Income; are a veteran, have a physical or mental disability, or fall at or below the poverty line you will be put first in line to receive a solar assessment. There are some factors that could eliminate you from qualifying such as tree cover, which way your roof is facing, the material your roof is made of, or the condition it is in. 

Tips to Help You Know if You Qualify:

  • Keep in mind the size of your roof: If you have very little roof or little roof space, you may not be chosen. We must be able to fit at least 5 KW on your roof however we will choose someone that can fit more (10KW is ideal)

  • Which way is your roof facing?: In Minnesota, we see about 12 hours of sunlight in the summer. This means that the sun travels right above our heads in the summer which is great for solar panels. But…. in the colder months, we can see as little as 8 hours of sunlight. This means that the sun travels along the southern side of the sky. So if your roof faces the south, you are a good candidate. If not, it’s not impossible, however, the cost will increase due to structural things we will need to do for the panels to face south.

  • How old is your roof?: If your roof has not been replaced in the past 10-15 years, we will need to take a closer look. Depending on the materials your roof is made up of, you might need to update it first.