Clean Energy Resource Teams

06/02/2026

For 15 years, Jason Ludwigson drove past the local community pool and saw a massive missed opportunity.

Today, that roof is covered in a 30-kilowatt solar array. It kicks into high gear during the exact summer months when the pool's electric bills used to skyrocket.

But here is the part every local city council will appreciate: they didn't take big financial risks with taxpayer money to do it.

They used a zero-down leasing agreement to put panels on the fire station. The upfront cost to the city was $0. It proved the concept, lowered the energy bills, and carried zero financial risk for the town.

They teamed up with CERTs to pull in $150,000 in state grants, expanding solar to the public works facility, the animal shelter, and a new community pavilion at Wieser Park that's entirely electric.

Today, it's just how they do business. From the fire station to the electric zamboni at the local rink, the whole town is keeping operational costs low.

06/01/2026

Welcome to Saint Paul’s most sustainable community center

The 25,000-square-foot North End Community Center opened in early 2025 with rooftop solar and a geothermal system, but it wouldn’t have happened without help from a special grant program.

“Early in the construction, the rooftop solar had to be removed from the project because of budget constraints, but the Solar on Public Buildings grant allowed the city to add the solar back into the project scope.”

https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/story/welcome-saint-pauls-most-sustainable-community-center
Photos by Corey Gaffer Photography

The city of Saint Paul’s 25,000-square-foot North End Community Center opened in early 2025 with rooftop solar and a geothermal system, but it wouldn’t have happened without help from a special grant program.

05/31/2026

Robbinsdale’s nearly sixty-year-old city hall building began contributing to the city’s utility bill in 2025.

“We weren’t necessarily planning to put solar on city hall, but it seemed like an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

The panels and installation were partially paid for by the Solar on Public Buildings grant and a federal tax credit.

Robbinsdale’s city hall receives solar power from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Division.

05/30/2026

Curious about how to implement solar energy lessons and curriculum into your school?
Schools are invited to attend our free webinar on June 10 to learn about curriculum for teaching students about solar.
We'll hear from Red Lake Schools, Columbia Heights Public Schools, and Minnesota West Community and Technical College about the solar curricula they're using to teach students K-12. Resources for lessons and activities will be shared, as well as future networking possibilities.

Curious about how to implement solar energy lessons and curriculum into your school?

05/29/2026

Could your town be the next one to save big with clean energy?
You don't have to navigate the search alone. CERTs built a tool that highlights state grants, utility rebate, and federal cash-back incentives available to help you pay for your clean energy projects.

Here are a few upcoming deadlines to know about before you dive into the tool:
☀️The Solar on Public Buildings Grant that all the cities featured took advantage of is in it’s last round and the deadline is June 30! Check out a recording from the May 9 webinar explaining the program.
https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/new-solar-public-buildings-grant-funding-round

⚡With rising fuel prices and poor air quality forecast for this summer the Electric School Bus Grant is a big opportunity for school districts. The deadline is June 18.
https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/electric-school-bus-grants-funding-available

☀️Local governments are eligible for up to $20K to streamline residential solar permitting processes by adopting SolarAPP+. Applications are first-come, first-serve, and reviewed monthly until funds are fully expended or until June 2028.
https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/funding-available-adoption-solarapp

🔎CERTs Pay for Your Projects tool features more funding opportunities for your community! https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/pay-your-projects

05/28/2026

La Crescent is a champion for clean energy and sustainability for its residents!

The La Crescent community celebrated three different ribbon cuttings on May 11. Each project helps reduce traffic congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, infiltrate stormwater and promote public health through active

05/28/2026

Solar-powered cities are growing across Minnesota ☀️
- The City of Silver Bay held a ribbon-cutting event last week for their new solar-powered Trailhead Center!
- La Crescent (pop. 5,200) in southeastern Minn. figured out how to run 66% of their city operations on renewable energy.
- The 25,000-square-foot North End Community Center opened in early 2025 with rooftop solar and a geothermal system, but it wouldn’t have happened without help from a special grant program.
- Robbinsdale’s nearly sixty-year-old city hall building began contributing to the city’s utility bill in 2025.
Could your town be the next one to save big with clean energy?

05/28/2026

Two Minnesota tribes recently announced big solar array projects aimed to help them establish energy independence.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Join us for a Solar Curriculum for Schools webinar on June 10 to learn ways to incorporate solar energy lessons and curriculum into your classrooms!

Curious about how to implement solar energy lessons and curriculum into your school?