Act to Support Solar Energy

Find your own ways, small or large, to use solar technology. Once you start, you'll discover new ways to add solar energy to your life.

Going big takes commitment

The Borns of Minneapolis power their entire home with solar energy. A desire to be good stewards of the earth and energy-independent motivated them to act for solar. Their electricity is produced by a fuel source that's always there, doesn't pollute and is owned by everyone and no one — the sun.

Starting small is easy

If you can do it with fossil fuels, you can do it with solar.

Tally numbers on a solar-powered calculator.

Listen to a solar-powered radio.

Recharge batteries with a solar-powered charger.

Cook with a solar-powered oven.

Power appliances with a solar-powered cart.

 

 

(Photo by MRES)

A 4-kilowatt solar electric array mounted on the garage roof provides all the electricity the Born family needs — and then some. They receive a credit from their local utility company for electricity they generate but don't use.

 

Help put solar energy in the spotlight

Community-based projects help individuals join forces with businesses and organizations that share an interest in promoting solar energy.

Choose how you want to help:

(Photo by MRES)

Raise money

A group of friends gathered donations from neighbors to pay for the 1-kilowatt solar electrical system on the roof of West St. Paul's Old Man River Cafe.

 

(Photo by MRES)

One solar-energy project can lead to another

When word spread about the Old Man River Cafe project in West St. Paul, other such initiatives sprang up.

 

Fun Fact

These Minnesota community solar energy projects need your support:

Izzy's Ice Cream
High Noon Solar Project

Linden Hills Food Co-op
"Rays the Roof" Community Solar Initiative

Old Man River Cafe
Sunny Side Project

 

 

(Photo by Chris Burda)

Buy ice cream and other solar-made products

Inspired by the Old Man River Café project, Izzy's Ice Cream in St. Paul used an ice cream social to raise funds and recruit volunteers to help install its solar-powered electrical system.

 

(Photo by MRES)

Volunteer your labor

Dozens of volunteers helped mount and wire more than one hundred solar panels on the roof of the Green Institute in Minneapolis.