A Metropolitan Council pilot program to offer technical assistance to residential property owners who want to install solar panels on their buildings and reduce their energy costs has been expanded. In addition to properties in the Metro HRA service area, properties in Minneapolis and Saint Paul are now eligible. Service by Xcel Energy is no longer required for participation.
In exchange for the technical assistance, property owners agree to rent, at market rates, a small share of their units to Section 8 Housing Choice voucher holders for five years.
Watch a May 7 webinar that introduces property owners to the program and how it has changed since it was introduced in fall 2020.
Property owners avoid lengthy process of finding developers, negotiating prices
Under the new program, the Met Council facilitates the process of solar panel installation by assembling a committed group of property owners and connecting them with solar developers. With many property owners participating, solar developers can install panels at competitive group prices.
The Met Council selects solar developers through a Request for Qualifications process. Property owners avoid the lengthy process of finding developers, evaluating the quality of their work, and negotiating competitive prices.
Clean Energy Resource Teams is partnering with the Met Council to offer program participants free technical assistance including the educational workshop, advice about successful site visits, evaluating solar develop proposals and contracts, financial calculators to determine savings, and more.
Details about the Solar-for-Vouchers program.