"Solar For One Please!"
You may be aware of the Solstar Project that we spearheaded in 2020. Which provides solar for low income and BIPOC property owners in North Minneapolis. The way we do this is through a unique finance model which allows us to lease their roof for 6 years while we pay off the project through earning solar rewards and tax credits. This allows residents to get a $30k solar installation on their roof that they own, at no charge to them in just 6 years!
We are kicking off an annual fundraiser that will raise enough money to gift a complete solar installation onto ONE low-income Xcel Energy customer and property owner, anywhere in North Minneapolis.
Have you ever thought: if every person in the world could put $1 in a pot every month, we could fix the world's biggest issues in just one year. Back when I was leading a neighborhood association in 2017, I remember thinking that if each household donated just $100 per year (there were 2100), they could build a home for 1 renter in their neighborhood every single year!
I want to put this model to the test in North Minneapolis. According to the state census, there are 5,239 households in North Minneapolis that earn over $50K per year. I want to see every household in MN that makes over $50K per year to give at least $5.73 to help raise $30,000 for one family. Who knows, maybe we can do 10 or 20 homes per year instead. I firmly believe that together, we can cover every roof in North Minneapolis with solar, and power our community our way by 2030. Together, we can do this! And who knows... you might be chosen next!
- Kristel Porter, Executive Director