Rural Renewable Energy Alliance

08/21/2026

Friday Fun Fact from RREAL! North Carolina Electric Co-Ops are turning to Battery storage to address rising prices and more frequent outages.

Member-owned electric cooperatives in North Carolina are adding batteries that can store power and reduce blackouts' impact on customers.

08/14/2026

Friday Fun Fact from RREAL! Utility scale battery storage increased installed capacity by an average of 70% per year for the last 3 years!

Energy Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government

08/13/2026

Had a good day talking energy, playing games, and watching the parade at Backus' Cornfest! Thanks to Maggie W. from Minnesota Power an ALLETE Company for helping out!

08/07/2026

Friday Fun Fact from RREAL! Here's an article outlining the current status of plug-in solar systems legalization. 5 states joined Utah with legislation enabling units to be sold and used. There are limits to size and requirements for meeting electrical codes and UL certifications. This will continue to make solar accessible to those who can front the money for a rooftop system, or don't own a home.

U.S. states accelerated plug-in solar policies in Q2 2026, expanding access to affordable balcony solar systems for renters and homeowners.

08/07/2026

We are at Backus' Cornfest this Saturday! If you are in the area, come out and say "hi" and we'll talk energy affordability and renewables!

07/31/2026

RREAL June 2026 Newsletter

Thank you to Laurence "Laurie" Chamberlain! We want to take a quick moment to thank Laurie Chamberlain for his service on the Board of Directors for RREAL for the last 6 1/2 years. Laurie served as chair for the last several years, helping navigate through several leadership changes. He stayed on an...

07/31/2026

Thanks for the partnership! Thanks to Minnesota Power an ALLETE Company, Wolf River Electric, Clean Energy Resource Teams , Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota and several individual donors who are helping make this happen with financial and in-kind contributions to the project!

07/31/2026

Friday Fun Fact from RREAL! Heat pump sales outpaced gas furnaces by 32% in 1Q26. Heat pumps are also more efficient than resistance heat and gas furnaces. There are cold climate heat pumps that work down to 5F, but in Minnesota, you likely need a secondary heat source for the really cold days (or just snuggle up under grandma's quilt and binge your favorite shows!)

In the first quarter of this year, heat pump sales beat fossil fuel furnaces by 32 percent. Here's what makes the appliance so powerful.

07/24/2026

Funding goal met for Solar for Humanity Spring 2026 campaign!! Thanks to generous donors we've raised $5375 in individual donations toward solar systems for Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity and Itasca County Habitat for Humanity homeowners. Along with grants from Minnesota Power an ALLETE Company, Clean Energy Resource Teams, and Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, and in-kind donations from River Electric, the systems will be installed later this year!

07/24/2026

Friday Fun Fact from RREAL! Less of a fun fact, but wanted to highlight an article by the Guardian on Jack's Solar Garden in Colorado. Their solar garden is agrivoltaics in action. The article is light on content but has great photos. Enjoy! Also, they've partnered with the Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center (link in the comments) and university researchers.

More than 3,000 solar panels power Jack’s Solar Garden, cool the land and help it turn a profit