Minnesota's Solar Gardens: The Status and Benefits of Community Solar

Minnesota is the national leader in community solar, with 208 projects around the state, more than a third of all community solar projects in the US. The Community Solar Garden policy makes it easy to develop and subscribe to solar power. Residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations not suited to housing solar panels can invest in solar power by subscribing to the output of a solar garden located somewhere else. This innovation has made it easy to go solar and has led to increased growth. The rapid growth of community solar has been a major source of job creation in Minnesota and has created economic incentives for rural landowners and counties to lease their land for solar projects. Policies and programs can be adapted to increase the accessibility of community solar to residential and low-income customers.