West central Minnesotans learn about going solar through solar co-op – InForum

MOORHEAD — Moorhead resident and artist Jeff Bodwin is seeking to offset the environmental impact of his art by generating electricity with solar panels.

Bodwin, a ceramics artist, acknowledges that pottery is not a very “green” hobby. The clay he uses to make mugs and bowls has to be harvested and refined, which uses energy. Then, he fires his work in an electric kiln, which heats the clay to 2,300 degrees, turning it into ceramic.

“That takes a good bit of power, so having a way to offset that a little bit seems like it would be a good thing to explore,” Bodwin said.

Bodwin hopes to install solar panels on the roof of his art studio in Moorhead. He started thinking seriously about installing solar panels after attending a meeting for a solar cooperative hosted by Solar United Neighbors of Minnesota, he said.

A solar co-op is a group of property owners who band together to purchase solar infrastructure for their houses or businesses. By approaching a solar installer together, they can get a group rate to install solar panels on their individual properties.

SUN, a national nonprofit organization that organizes solar co-ops, started the Lakes & Prairies Solar Co-op for residents of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin counties in October.

But the sun is setting on the opportunity to join the Lakes & Prairies Solar Co-op. SUN is holding a final webinar about solar power at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. Enrollment for the co-op closes March 28.

Bodwin is one of more than 70 people who have signed up for the co-op, SUN Minnesota Program Associate John Anderson said. Those that join the co-op are not obligated to go solar, he said.

Anderson said that by approaching an installer with a group, people are able to get a better price for the whole group. People interested in installing solar panels also find it helpful to work with a group.

“For some folks, it’s a major investment, it’s a big project, so they often like to have support of other people in the group because you can learn from other people, you can talk about stuff, and you can also get the support of the SUN staff as well,” Anderson said.

SUN is vendor-neutral, Anderson said, and facilitates a bid process for installers. Then, the co-op’s selection committee chooses a vendor. The Lakes & Prairies Solar Co-op’s selection committee selected Holsen Solar, a Fargo-based company, as the installer for the co-op.

Example pricing provided by SUN estimates an 8 kilowatt solar array, with average solar pricing and a 30% federal tax credit, could cost co-op members $17,920.

In Minnesota, excess energy produced by solar panels can be put back on the grid for credit from a utility company, Anderson said.

“It’s different for everyone, but a lot of times people are able to pay off the cost of the array within, you know, 10 to 15 years, because they’re putting electricity back on the grid to get a credit for that,” Anderson said.

Whether Bodwin commits to installing solar on his studio will depend on the cost and condition of the roof. If he does install solar to his studio, he hopes the building can serve as a demonstration for how solar panels are set up, how much they cost and what they can get out of it.

“It seemed like another good way to be a good steward for the community,” Bodwin said.

More information about the Lakes & Prairies Solar Co-op and SUN is available at

solarunitedneighbors.org/lakesandprairies.