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Commission discusses Hennepin Countygroup-buy solar program and city promotion plan
Summary
The commission reviewed a Hennepin County "Switch Together" residential group-buy solar program, clarified sign-up deadlines and refundable deposit terms, and discussed city promotion through the Minnetonka memo, social media and a farmers market table.
The Minnetonka Sustainability Commission on July 22 heard staff describe a Hennepin County residential group-buy solar program (Switch Together) and outlined how the city will promote the effort to residents.
Allie Sutherland, sustainability staff, briefed the commission on the county-run Switch Together effort. She said Hennepin County had sent direct mail to prioritized climate-priority areas and that the program offers group-bid pricing to lower rooftop solar costs. “Theysaid the bids in general save just over $5,000 per installation,” Sutherland said.
Why it matters: staff said the county program can speed residential solar adoption in Minnetonka by combining buyer demand, competitive bids among installers, utility incentives and the federal residential solar tax credit. The city has a goal in its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and Sustainability Commission work plan to host residential renewable education and outreach in 2025.
Program mechanics and timing staff described - How Switch Together works: the county organizes a regional group buy, solicits installer bids based on an estimated participation level, and negotiates a per-watt price that applies to participants. Staff said Hennepin County required a $150 refundable deposit to lock a personal quote, and that payments and installation needed to be completed before the end of the year to qualify for the federal 30% investment tax credit that staff said is scheduled to expire for new contracts at year-end. - Estimated size and cost: staff told the commission the average residential system is about 8 kilowatts and that per-watt pricing typically ranges roughly $2.50–$5.00, meaning a typical system “will be, expecting to pay around $20,000 to $40,000” before incentives and tax credits. Staff emphasized that actual costs depend on system size and roof suitability. - Eligibility and capacity: staff confirmed small businesses may be eligible with caveats and said Hennepin County targeted mailings to areas the county identified as high-priority for climate outreach. Staff also said the county planned webinars for Aug. 5 and had a Sept. 10 sign-up deadline to lock participation in the current round; staff advised interested residents to check the Switch Together Hennepin County landing page and attend webinars.
City promotion and next steps Staff said Minnetonka will promote Switch Together through the August Minnetonka memo (a mailed city newsletter), the city website and social media, the cityfarmers market (staff invited commissioners to help staff a table), and by listing the county webinar link on city pages. “Thereis no limit to how many people can participate,” Sutherland said, noting the county expects several installers to share capacity.
Commissioners asked for follow-up data. Chair Golub and others asked whether the county could provide a post-program tally of Minnetonka participants so the city could gather anecdotal follow-up. Staff said they expect to request participation numbers from the county after the program and to collect local case studies through the Sustainable Minnetonka award program and other outreach.
Ending: Staff asked commissioners to promote the August webinar and the farmers market table; staff will include the county link in the August Minnetonka memo and return with any county-provided participation numbers after the program closes.
