Make Mine Solar

 

 

 

Make Mine Solar Please!

To Purchase a Site Assessment click here

for Twin Cities residents

 

 

Announcement!

We are very excited to announce that the Make Mine Solar program has been picked up to be funded in South East Minnesota, as defined by the CERTs regions (click here to see map). Many thanks to the SE CERTs team for choosing us for a CERTs Seed Grant. We will begin reaching out to local installers and site assessors soon. We should begin outreach to homeowners in the area in Spring to start signing up for low cost site assessments and installations! Please keep coming back to check out this site or fill out our Interest Form to be kept up to date by email.

Let’s Make Solar More Affordable!!

Minnesotans can now participate in a group purchasing program to reduce the cost and uncertainties of going solar.  The goal of the program is to reduce the implementation barriers often presented to home and business owners looking into renewable energy systems. We provide free workshops to increase consumer education, site assessments, installation, equipment and structural engineering visits at a reduced cost, recommend approved installers and povide continued advice and guidance throughout the process.

 

PROGRAM: An initiative organized by the MN Renewable Energy Society (MRES) to enable easy and affordable installation of solar thermal systems (Solar Hot Water and Solar Air Heat) through bulk purchase discounts, state rebates and federal incentives. The program is open to all property owners who wish to participate.

 

PRICING:   Set Price for a two-panel Solar Hot Water System (Twin Cities Program, cost and product may change for SE Minnesota)

 

Locally manufactured Solar Skies system

Equipment, Install and Permitting: $8900

 

 

 With the following exceptions:

  • Pipe runs greater than 50 feet will be $40 for every extra foot. (Systems that fall under this category are typically houses taller than 2 stories or with mechanical rooms on the opposite side of the house from the panels)
  • Garage mounted systems requiring trenching to the house will need to be custom-priced by the installer
  • Interior pipe runs, meaning no piping showing on the outside of the house, will be custom-priced by your installer
  • Cosmetic covering for exterior pipe runs available for additional $325
  • A structural review of your roof may be required and is NOT included in price: $500

 

PRICING:   Set Price for a two-panel Solar Air Heating System (Twin Cities Program, cost may change for SE Minnesota)


Locally manufactured RREAL system

Equipment, Install and Permitting: $5890  

 

 

PROCESS:   

1. Fill out the interest form or attend a free workshop.

2. Purchase a site assessment

3. Choose an Installer from our list who will work with you to coordinate the structural engineering review and submit your State Rebate.  

4.Get your system installed!

 

What are the costs, the benefits and the incentives available?  

For an example of the impact of the program: a family of four will find that a two-collector solar water heater (about 60 square feet) will provide for about 2/3 of their yearly hot water needs, and this system would cost about $11,000 if it were purchased individually. By participating in the bulk-purchase program you will receive up to 20% discount in discounted equipment costs. Your final pricing will be given to you when you sign your contract with your installer after your site and usage have been examined.

You may also qualify for the following incentives. Please see the www.dsireusa.org website for more details.

  •  30% Federal Tax Credit


A commercial operation, such as a restaurant, will experience an even more dramatic reduction in cost, with up to 80% of the original cost shaved down by the bulk-purchase and incentives for businesses. These numbers can vary depending on the difficulty on the install.

Financing options include:

 

 

Where can I find out more?

 For the FAQ Sheet, please click here


Program Info in PDF Format for Workshops

 Research Paper on the SE Como SHW Bulk Program

Press Conference for Twin Cities Program, 1st Install Monday Dec 13th, 9:30am

 

Any questions, please contact:

Laura Cina, Managing Director of the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society at 612-963-4757 or laurac@mnrenewables.org

 

This project was made possible by a grant from SE CERTs.