Our Mission

MRES is a catalyst, equitably advancing a sustainable low-carbon society
and a renewable energy economy through education, leadership and example.

November Speaker Series

Empowering Lakota Homes: Solar Energy for Sustainability and Resilience in Project Tiošpáye

Join MRES for an insightful webinar on Project Tiošpáye, a groundbreaking collaboration between the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and Red Cloud Renewable, bringing solar energy to the Oglala Lakota Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. In the Lakota language, "Tiošpáye" means home and security in the deepest sense—intergenerational living, resource sharing, and caring for both people and the land. This inspiring project focuses on outfitting new dome homes with solar systems that provide electricity, water purification, gardening pumps, and even refrigeration, fostering energy sovereignty and resilience for the Lakota people. You'll hear directly from Sarah Townes, ASES Zero Emissions Director, who will dive deeper into sustainable solutions and explore how solar technology can uplift Indigenous communities through energy independence. Don't miss out on the chance to support this effort to provide solar-powered homes and resources for a stronger, more resilient future.

About the Speaker:

Sarah Townes joined the ASES team in 2016 to promote solar energy and sustainability in our beautiful world, and started the Zero Emissions Network Program. Managing the finances for such a positive organization brings great job satisfaction. ASES’s large membership base and non-profit status require full accountability and transparency in all its dealings, financial and social, and it brings her pleasure to work in non-profit accounting in such a high-integrity organization. Outside of ASES, Sarah enjoys singing, teaching singing, and performing, and her latest album is available for sale on iTunes. Favorite recreation includes hiking, relaxing by the fire at the St. Julien, and having fun with her family, both immediate and extended. She finds inspiration daily in her son and his friends.

November Live online presentation

Thursday, November 21st @ 6:00pm

Meeting ID: 833 8267 6557
Passcode: 518455

Trouble joining? Contact eleanor@mnrenewables.org

Green Rock Apartments Transform Multifamily Housing from Old to Sustainable: A Guide for Property Owners

Dale Howey, in six years, has transformed his Green Rock Apartments into a model of carbon-neutral housing. Howey, a Minneapolis owner/renovator, has completed eight multi-unit building retrofits. The physical improvements, coupled with enhanced livability amenities, have dramatically reduced each building’s utility usage/cost of energy, increased owner profits, and improved livability for residents. Most importantly, the retrofits have significantly reduced the use of fossil fuels, and thus contribute toward lowering the world’s extreme carbon emissions.

Howey’s intention is to open-source his unique retrofit approach so that others may gain ideas, inspiration, and guidance. To that end, the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, in collaboration with Green Rock Apartments, has produced a detailed guide documenting Howey’s projects, noting the carbon-reducing products used, retrofit project financing, key contacts and sources for further research. The following guide highlights four Green Rock Apartment buildings in Minneapolis, MN that have been retrofitted to near zero carbon by Howey. These retrofits have greatly lowered utility usage, increased owner profits and have improved livability for Residents. Most importantly, these retrofits significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels to further lower the world’s extreme carbon emissions.

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