By Greta Hentges
Communities across our region are taking bold steps toward a more sustainable and resilient future through the Municipal Solar Cohort. West Central Initiative created the cohort to help communities develop project proposals for small-scale municipal solar projects. By working together, local leaders are finding practical ways to reduce energy costs, generate local revenue, and strengthen their communities through clean energy investment.
What began as an innovative idea to make solar power more accessible for small rural municipalities has grown into a collaborative effort that’s changing the way towns think about energy, community, and long-term planning.
To explore the cohort’s growing impact in our region, we connected with four of our team members—Cedar Walters, Ben Schierer, Griffin Peck, and Greg Wagner—whose combined expertise in sustainability, partnerships, energy, and economic development is driving this work forward.
Cedar Walters, Director of Climate and Sustainability Programs
What was the spark that first inspired the idea for the Municipal Solar Cohort, and why was West Central Initiative the right organization to take the lead in creating and facilitating it?
We started by sharing information about financial incentives to help communities fund clean energy projects, but I soon realized that information alone wouldn’t move projects forward in small rural communities. Community leaders needed to better understand the benefits of small-scale solar, and by creating a program focused on education and hands-on project support, we could more effectively drive solar adoption.
Bringing multiple communities together also allowed us to streamline assistance and increase our overall impact. West Central Initiative values collaboration, learning, and innovation—and this program truly reflects that. It’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and working together to strengthen community resilience through solar energy.
How does this cohort align with the organization’s broader climate and sustainability goals?
We believe that we need to invest in resilient and sustainable communities, both now and in the future—and we can’t do that unless we’re also talking about climate. Both the Sustainable Development Goals and our Climate Action Plan place an emphasis on increasing access to clean energy, and promoting community resilience and sustainability, which is what these community projects are all about.
Ben Schierer, Director of Civic Partnerships
Why is it so important for small rural communities—and their elected officials—to work together through initiatives like the Municipal Solar Cohort to strengthen their communities and the region?
We all know there are human-made issues and forces—political, geographic, and beyond—that can divide us and keep us from working together for the greater good. Too often, when opportunities for funding or projects come along, rural communities feel left behind compared to their urban counterparts.
This initiative demonstrates that every community in Minnesota can benefit from clean energy. From a town of 300 people in west central Minnesota to our largest urban centers, we believe this demonstrates that we are all in this together. Every community matters, and when we choose to invest in clean energy, we create a brighter future for everyone in Minnesota—if we make it together and commit to the work ahead.
What opportunities do you foresee ahead that will rely on continued cooperation among these rural communities?
When people can see themselves as part of the future, the possibilities become endless. Disaster preparedness, economic development, clean energy projects, resilience—all become achievable. The trust built through this project opens the door to future partnerships and new opportunities, limited only by what we dare to imagine.
Griffin Peck, Energy and Adaptation Planner
For communities thinking about adding solar to their municipal buildings, what do you most want them to know—especially about the technical side that often surprises or reassures them?
I want communities in our region to know that solar isn’t scary. It’s one of the easiest ways to save taxpayer money by cutting operating costs and creating long-term savings.
In our first cohort, each community is using 1 to 3 years of energy savings and utility payments to cover the portion of the project not funded by incentives, rebates, or grants. After that, they save $2,000 to $6,000 every year for 25 years or more. That adds up to over $100,000 that can be reinvested in other local projects.
In Pelican Rapids, the solar array on the liquor store is already offsetting higher electricity costs from the new aquatic center. That’s the kind of impact solar can have for communities now and in the future.
How do you see your role in making the technical side of going solar easier and less intimidating for rural communities?
The solar landscape can be complex, even for those who work with energy systems every day. City clerks, administrators, and elected officials already manage a wide range of responsibilities, so navigating the technical side of solar can feel like a lot to take on. Before college, I gained experience in energy analysis and modeling, and during my undergraduate studies, I focused on building energy use and utility rate analysis. Over the past three years, I’ve worked on solar projects for cities across west central Minnesota and have seen how solar can be tailored to fit everything from 100-year-old buildings and wastewater treatment plants to liquor stores and small city offices.
My role is to make the process less intimidating by translating complicated topics like utility rates, solar production, and incentive programs into clear information about cash flow and return on investment. Sometimes my energy analysis uncovers savings beyond solar. In Hoffman, for example, we found a way to save the city $900 a year in demand charges at the fire hall just by changing equipment schedules.
Greg Wagner, Director of Business & Economic Development
How has our interest-free municipal solar lending, in partnership with the Municipal Solar Cohort, helped communities move their solar projects from proposal to reality?
I believe offering no-interest loans was a key motivator for cities in this first cohort to take the leap into solar. Elected officials are accountable to their constituents and must maintain fiscal responsibility for their cities. While lower utility bills and revenue from selling electricity back to the grid will generate savings over time, any improvement to municipal buildings comes with upfront costs that can strain budgets in communities of any size.
Although solar technology isn’t new, there’s still a perceived risk around its reliability and effectiveness. We helped address both concerns by reducing some of the initial costs. This approach not only eased the financial burden but also allowed participating communities to realize cost savings more quickly, which is exactly in line with our mission to help communities achieve success.
The Municipal Solar Cohort shows what’s possible when communities have the right support at the right time. By exploring solar energy, communities are not only saving money but also investing in a stronger, more sustainable future.
Take Action for a More Resilient Future
If your community is ready to harness the power of solar energy or explore other ways to build local resilience, we’d love to connect. Reach out to Cedar Walters at cedar@wcif.org to learn more about the Municipal Solar Cohort or other initiatives helping communities across the region strengthen sustainability and climate readiness.
You can also explore more opportunities to take climate action and increase your community’s sustainability and resilience through our Climate Action programs. Together, we can power a brighter, more resilient future for all.
