Minneapolis Friends Meeting, a gathering space for Quaker worship in Minnesota, recently went solar, highlighting the role that interfaith Houses of Worship play in promoting local, equitable clean energy adoption.
Minneapolis, Minnesota - May 3 - Today, Minneapolis Friends Meeting, in partnership with RE-volv, held a solar energy celebration for their recently installed 12 kW solar array. With 30 solar panels, Minneapolis Friends Meeting will generate the majority of their energy needs, saving over $50,000 on their energy bills over time and enabling them to reinvest savings into continued support for social justice initiatives in the community. They will also avoid emitting 415,700 lbs of CO2 over the system's lifetime, which is the equivalent to emissions from 480,175 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.
The celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and brief remarks from meetinghouse members and community leaders, Linea Palmisano of the Minneapolis City Council, State Representative Jamie Long and Stacy Boots Camp from the Center for Energy and Environment. Cedar Creek Energy, who installed the solar array, and RE-volv, who provided the solar financing, participated in the event alongside local community organizations, which hosted educational booths to inform the public about their options for going solar and saving money by leveraging renewable energy tax incentives.
“I am proud to support Minneapolis Friends Meeting’s transition to solar energy,” said Linea Palmisano of the Minneapolis City Council. “Dating back to my time on the local neighborhood council, I have actively supported any effort to reduce our carbon footprint and slow the damage we do every day to our climate. Installing a solar array advances our city’s commitment to a healthier environment for all residents. At a time when federal funding for climate-related priorities is in jeopardy, it makes projects like this even more important and gives individuals and organizations alike the chance to live their values.”
“Today's solar celebration underscores our ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and hopefully encourages other community organizations to do the same,” said Quaker Meeting member, Rick VandenDolder. “Through installing solar panels, the money we save on lowered energy bills will go directly into our community and environment serving initiatives, such as hosting the recent East Philips Neighborhood Institute Urban Farm event."
Minneapolis Friends Meeting had long sought to reduce its environmental footprint with solar panels, but like many nonprofits, faced financing challenges. By partnering with RE-volv and leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act’s Direct Pay provision, the Friends Meetinghouse accessed valuable financing and solar tax credits—making solar possible and freeing up funds to reinvest in community programs.
“RE-volv is proud to support the Minneapolis Friends Meeting place’s transition to solar energy to further their social and climate justice goals,” shared Andreas Karelas, Executive Director of RE-volv. “Friends Meeting’s partnership with RE-volv demonstrates that funding for clean energy projects is accessible and attainable. Promoting community engagement events, like today’s ribbon-cutting celebration, helps pave the way for other Houses of Worship nationwide to achieve the long-lasting economic and environmental benefits of solar for their communities.”
Through this celebration, the congregation aims to inspire other interfaith houses of worship and nonprofit organizations to pursue affordable, reliable solar energy by providing resources and serving as a successful example of what is possible.
About Minneapolis Friends Meeting
Minneapolis Friends Meeting in Minnesota has been around since 1863, providing a gathering space for Quaker worship. The congregation has over 90 active participants with weekly Sunday worship rooted in their mission of offering spiritual nurture and support after the manner of Friends. Beyond meetings for worship, the congregation is heavily involved in supporting social justice initiatives in the surrounding community, such as hosting the recent East Phillips Neighborhood Institute Urban Farm event.
About RE-volv
RE-volv is a climate and energy justice nonprofit that helps nonprofits in historically excluded communities across the country go solar, while raising awareness about equitable climate solutions and training the next generation of clean energy leaders. To date, RE-volv has developed and financed solar projects for over 80 nonprofits in 18 states, collectively saving them $20+ million on their electricity bills, allowing them to better serve their 50,000 beneficiaries. The 4MW+ of solar RE-volv installed to date will avoid 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions over the life of the systems. RE-volv is an inaugural member of the White House National Community Solar Partnership and is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Innovation Network. Learn more at re-volv.org.
About Cedar Creek
Based in Blaine, Minnesota, Cedar Creek Energy is a premier provider of solar energy solutions, offering comprehensive services for commercial and residential customers. With over seventeen years of experience, Cedar Creek Energy is dedicated to delivering cost-effective renewable energy systems that provide energy security, reduce grid dependence, and promote a sustainable future.
