| |  | Founded in 2009, Minneapolis-based Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF) develops and operates community solar gardens. The organization’s 13 projects across Minnesota, which offset the electricity needs of more than 1,300 member households, also include affordable housing solar projects serving low-and-moderate income renters and homeowners. CEF has launched a Sustainable Homes program that makes energy enhancements accessible to low-income individuals and others facing barriers to energy efficiency and electrification. CollectiveSun is proud to have partnered with CEF on their latest community solar garden, which came online in October. We connected with Dan Grantier, Solar Development Manager at CEF, to learn more about this project and the organization’s work. This loan was made possible by the generous participation of the BQuest Foundation. All images are courtesy of Cooperative Energy Futures. |  | Please tell us about your organization’s work, programs, and services.CEF believes that energy should work for everyone. Together with our diverse members, we create fair and affordable energy solutions that eliminate upfront costs, making clean energy accessible to all. We envision a future where every household can join and benefit from the clean energy transition, supporting both economic and environmental sustainability. With over 1,500 members and growing, CEF has developed a successful model that delivers local economic and environmental benefits across diverse communities and demographics. Our community solar gardens are expanding access to shared solar, empowering Minnesota households to participate in and benefit from clean energy. We also support the growth of community-based energy efforts nationwide. Who benefits from the programs and services you provide?Our members, a diverse community across urban, suburban, and rural Minnesota, are at the heart of our clean energy projects. CEF has a particular focus on economic and racial justice. We work to ensure that all our projects are developed using an economic model that is deeply accessible to members regardless of income or credit and including options available at no upfront cost and net monthly savings, as well as prioritizing workforce equity in the energy industry. CEF uses member participation in our projects to build community wealth and unite and activate members from many different communities around a vision for our energy future that is rooted in community-controlled clean energy. Tell us about your new solar systemThe new system in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, is our 11th community solar garden. A ground-mount solar array that covers about seven acres, it uses single-axis trackers to follow the sun during the day. The landowner for this project was leasing the acreage for monocropped corn but is excited to convert the land use to solar. | | | Continue Reading Here | | Two New Solar Installations in November!We are pleased to welcome two new organizations to our family of completed projects, Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley and Congregation Beth Am. Both organizations are now powering their operations with clean energy from the sun, which will provide them electricity bill savings — allowing them to focus more financial resources on their missions. |  | | |  | |  | If you’re thinking about getting solar for your nonprofit, you’re not alone! Many nonprofit organizations across the nation are going solar, and for good reason. Solar not only lowers your carbon footprint, supporting the environment — it can also lower your nonprofit’s electricity bills, allowing you to focus precious financial resources on your mission. But the process of going solar may seem daunting. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive 62-page solar guide to give you the information you need, every step of the way. At CollectiveSun, we’ve helped hundreds of nonprofits across the country go solar. We can help you before, during, and after your solar is installed — helping you determine whether solar makes sense for your organization, explaining the available financing options and incentives, and even managing the project for you, if you pick a financing option that includes that service. Now, the support we provide nonprofits includes our new 62-page guide, with information to support you wherever you are in your solar journey. The guide includes: Solar basics Financing solar for your nonprofit Preparing your nonprofit for solar What to do after you go solar And more things you need to know
As a subscriber to our newsletter, you can download the 62-page guide for free below. Let us know if you have any questions or comments — we’re always here to help. | | Download the Guide Here! |
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Know A Nonprofit? If your favorite nonprofit organization is exploring going solar and their mission is to provide programs & services that support communities of concern benefitting: |
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| CollectiveSun is here to help you with your solar financing. | Interest Rates Start at 4.99% | | Rates Are Based On Community Impact, Not Just Credit Score | | One Simple Payment | Term Length Up To 10 Years | | Payment Holiday Durning Construction of System | No Prepayment Penality | Our goal is for you to end up with a solar system that reduces your carbon footprint and is a $0 down investment with a positive cash flow from day one, so it has an immediate impact on your bottom line. That’s what we want most for the organizations that are the backbone of our communities — financial and environmental sustainability that allows you to concentrate on your mission and reach your sustainability goals. |
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| If you’d like to learn more, schedule a meeting with Nicole here. |
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| Navigating the world of solar financing can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team of seasoned experts has been focused on delivering solar financing solutions for nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations across the country for over a decade. In just the last few years, we’ve proudly facilitated solar projects for over 200 nonprofits spanning 25 states. |
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|  | At CollectiveSun, we understand that every nonprofit is unique, and that’s why we offer a diverse range of financing options. Whether you’re considering a loan like our CollectiveSun Solar Loan designed to support your purchase of a solar system while allowing you to benefit directly from the Direct Pay Tax Rebate; exploring third-party ownership options like our CollectiveSun Solar Power Agreement (SPA); or seeking a hybrid funding model like our CollectiveSun Prepaid Solar Power Agreement (Prepaid SPA), we have the perfect solution to match your solar financing needs. For those looking to dive deeper into how Direct Pay can benefit you, we’re excited to offer a free comprehensive course series on HeatSpring. This series covers not only Direct Pay but also the additional ITC bonus adders, providing you with all the information you need for when your filing is due. 📚 Enroll in the free courses here: CollectiveSun HeatSpring Direct Pay & More Course Series You’ll discover how these incentives can make solar energy even more accessible and cost-effective for your nonprofit organization. Together, let’s harness the power of the sun to fuel your mission and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Let’s connect and start the conversation! |
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|  | Soaring Electric Bills Are the “New Price of Eggs” Power prices keep rising, with residential electricity prices up 7.4% this September compared to September 2024, according to the Energy Information Administration. Various factors are contributing to this rise, including rising gas costs, increasing demand for electricity, and in some areas, the Trump Administration’s cuts to disaster aid. With more Americans unable to pay their electric bills, voters are increasingly focused on the cost of electricity. Managing the Electricity Demand of Data Centers Much of the increase in electricity demand is coming from data centers, with new projections estimating that in the next five years, that demand will equal 15 times the peak load of New York City. This could keep electricity prices high while also increasing carbon emissions. Distributed energy systems, like the solar systems that nonprofits install, can help by functioning as power plants and easing pressure on our transmission system. Solar Ends the Year on a High Note
It’s been a strong year for renewable energy, with additions of solar and wind exceeding increases in global power demand. Solar in the U.S. has been growing, exceeding the power generation of both wind and hydropower and beating last year’s numbers, with installations jumping 49% in Q3 — accounting for 75% of all new generation installed so far in 2025. In California, solar may have contributed to the death of coal as an electricity-generating source, and it’s also led to the decline of gas generation in the state. | | Need to Unsubscribe? | |
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| CollectiveSun helps make solar for nonprofits a reality! Our innovative approach helps these organizations secure affordable financing and streamline project implementation. | CollectiveSun, LLC
3295 Meade Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
888 980 2786 (CSUN) | |
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