Renewable Energy

The City of Eden Prairie is striving to reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Climate Action Plan goal of community-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.

To achieve this goal, the City encourages the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. There are various renewable energy options available for residents and businesses that cater to many different budgets and needs.

I'm interested in renewable energy without putting equipment on my home or business

If you want to support clean energy but rooftop solar doesn't work for you, here are two other options you can consider.

Utility Green Power Purchase Programs

Both Xcel Energy and MN Valley Electric Cooperative offer programs to offset some or all of your home electricity use with clean energy all for about the price of a coffee order each month.

Community Solar Garden Subscription

Community solar is an excellent option for those who rent their homes, have shaded properties, rooftops that cannot support solar panels or who simply do not want to install their own solar panels.

Minnesota has the strongest program in the country for community solar. Clean Energy Resource Teams offers education and resources to help you find a community solar program that works for you. Community solar subscribers typically enjoy an overall reduction in their electricity costs.

I'm interested in installing solar on the roof of my home

Getting Started

A great local resource to help you start your solar project is Simple Steps to Solar from Clean Energy Resources Teams.

The City of Eden Prairie also offers the ReACT Eden Prairie tool to show the solar potential of your home or business.

Financial Resources

There has never been a better time for cost-effective rooftop solar!

Twin Cities Area Solar Co-op from Solar United Neighbors allows residents and small businesses to participate in a group buy process to have solar installed at a discounted rate through the power of bulk purchasing. Registration for the 2024 co-op is open through May 31, 2024.
A 30% federal tax credit is available for any solar project through 2032. Projects with battery storage connected to and powered by solar also qualify.
Xcel Energy offers its customers the Solar*Rewards® performance-based incentive program.
The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) offers low-interest residential solar loans for homeowners to install solar.

Permit Information

Your installer will help you with the permitting process. Below are helpful resources for you and your contractor.

City of Eden Prairie Building Permit Application
Two sets of building plans as supplemental information that meet the following requirements:
- Structural/connections
- Flashing detail
- Roof array layout
Residential solar PV installations must comply with the general building requirements and the residential building requirements
Residential permit approval takes one to three business days
Electrical permits are also required for solar PV systems and are issued by the State of Minnesota
Printable Residential Checklist [PDF]

I'm interested in installing solar on the roof of my business

Getting Started

A great local resource to help you start your solar project is Simple Steps to Solar from Clean Energy Resources Teams.

The City of Eden Prairie also offers the ReACT Eden Prairie tool to show the solar potential of your home or business.

Financial Resources

A 30% federal tax credit is available for any solar project through 2032
Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is an innovative financing tool that allows commercial, industrial, nonprofit, and multi-family (5+ unit) property owners to access competitive, private financing that is paid back through property taxes as a special assessment
Xcel Energy offers its customers the Solar*Rewards® performance-based incentive program

Permit Information

Your installer will help you with the permitting process. Below are helpful resources for you and your contractor.

City of Eden Prairie Building Permit Application
Two sets of building plans as supplemental information that meet structural/architectural and electrical requirements are required with permit
Commercial solar PV installations must comply with general building requirements and commercial building requirements
Electrical permits are also required for solar installations and are issued by the State of Minnesota
Printable Commercial Checklist [PDF]

I'm interested in installing solar on the ground at my home or business

How Eden Prairie is supporting renewable energy

On-Site Solar

Eden Prairie has one ground-mounted solar array and rooftop solar installed at four City facilities. Since 2019 on-site generation has created over 3,800 MWh of electricity.

Community Solar Garden Subscription and Host Site

In addition to its on-site generation, Eden Prairie is both a subscriber and host site for community solar. The City's off-site community solar subscription has generated over 8,700 MWh of electricity for City operations since 2020. The Eden Prairie Community Center is also the host site for a community solar garden that provides renewable energy to over 150 residents.

SolSmart Designation

In 2017 the City joined SolSmart, a solar designation program designed to help cities, counties and other local government organizations make it faster, easier and more affordable to install solar on homes and businesses. The City achieved SolSmart's Gold designation in 2019 for its efforts to support solar energy in the community.

Contact the City's Sustainability Coordinator with questions about renewable energy projects.

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