Community solar garden project on the horizon for Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church.

First community of faith solar garden announced in Minnesota at Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church

Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church has announced that it will be the first community of faith in Minnesota to host a community solar garden. The Church has partnered with solar developer Minnesota Community Solar to host the project atop the education wing on Bethel’s south Minneapolis property. The Church will be the array’s anchor subscriber, consuming a significant portion of the electricity produced.

Community solar gardens allow Xcel Energy customers to subscribe to solar energy from large arrays at locations away from their own homes and businesses. Community solar dramatically expands the number of Minnesotans with access to clean, locally-produced solar electricity.

Describing the partnership, Pastor Brenda Froisland said, “We are very excited to be partnering with Minnesota Community Solar; they’ve made this process easy. Our congregation has long had a spiritual commitment to environmental stewardship. Working with our community to create a solar garden is a concrete step toward better nourishing God’s Creation.”

Minnesota Community Solar CEO Ken Bradley remarked, “We’re immensely gratified to be in partnership with Bethel. The congregation’s enthusiasm for this project demonstrates our community’s appetite for clean, local energy. We’re looking forward to working with many more communities of faith to expand access to solar power.”

Bradley continued, “Minnesota Community Solar is especially grateful to Pastor Brenda Froisland, Bethel’s staff, and members of the congregation for their work on the project, coming together as it did during the Easter season.”

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Community Solar Gardens are centrally-located solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers. Could it work for you?

Are you interested in going solar but unable to do so on your own? Perhaps you live in an apartment, have a shaded roof at home, or don’t have space at your organization.

Where do you want to start?

Community Solar Gardens

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