In spring 2023, Minnesota state lawmakers passed legislation expanding consumer share of power from solar panel energy to low- and medium-income customers, allowing solar developers the ability to build larger projects with fewer geographic restrictions.
This statewide community solar energy program is not only one of the largest in the nation, but one of the oldest. For over a decade, the program has sought to bring cleaner energy to the region and is a testament to Minnesota’s longstanding fight for environmental justice and building a sustainable future. As this program continues to develop, so do many other trailblazing innovations across Minnesota’s private and public sectors. Here are just a few.
SageGlass
Dynamic glass, dynamic glaze and smart glass—these are just a few of the names SageGlass’ electrochromic glass goes by. Founded and headquartered in Faribault, Minnesota, internationally renowned SageGlass is a leading developer of tinted electrochromic glass proven to reduce energy costs without ridding spaces of their exposure to natural light. How does this work? By applying a small electrical charge to a thin piece of glass coated in ceramic materials, which in turn allows the glass to be tinted at different levels.
Photo by Laurent Kronental
In September 2024, SageGlass announced it had reached significant reductions in its carbon usage, which was confirmed by third party Environmental Product Declarations (EDPs). This—among other certifications and business practices—underscores how the company stays true to its sustainability promises as it continues to grow on a global scale.
Great River Energy
Great River Energy is a Minnesota not-for-profit electric power cooperative that is member-owned and is committed to using renewable resources. This member-owned and -operated structure allows members to democratically control policies and economic participation, making it a people-first, not investor-first, company.
In addition, Great River Energy’s deep connection to its local communities ensures its practices are rooted in sustainability. From supporting pollinator habitats to its many LEED certifications, Great River is doing its part for the state of Minnesota and beyond. This extends to its business partnerships, too; In August 2024, Great River and Form Energy—an energy storage industry innovator—broke ground on a 1.5 megawatt (MW) multiday energy storage project in Cambridge, Minnesota. The facility will ultimately allow Great River to store surplus energy generated during high production times and then discharge it during periods of high electricity demand or low renewable energy output. The project is set to be operational in late 2025.
Photo by Shuttershock
Governor’s Council on Biofuels
The creation of the Governor’s Council on Biofuels in 2019 has since lead to many new laws and pieces of legislation that seek to reduce Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions. The council, which advises not just the governor but also the Commissioners of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, and the Pollution Control Agency, has recommended several policies and proposals including but not limited to petroleum replacement goals, carbon efficiency improvements, and much more. In addition, the council is required to consider how these policies would impact economically disadvantaged communities, farmers, rural communities, and the general economy.
Six years after its inception, the council continues to make good on its promises; in August 2024, Governor Tim Walz announced new funding that will expand biofuel availability across the state. Dubbed the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program, the initiative will award more than $3.3 million to gas stations that expand their selection of motor fuel blends containing at least 15% ethanol.
Photo by Jonny Clow/Unsplash
