It’s like a community garden, planted with solar panels!

Community solar is ideal for members who want to harness the power of the sun's energy, but lack a suitable site or funds for a solar array of their own. 

There are still shares available for our latest array.

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

Complete the form below to have a Crow Wing Power representative contact you with more information about our Community Solar Program. 

Phase III Interest Form
Example Solar Agreement Form

If you have questions, please call our Member Service department at (218) 829-2827 or (800) 648-9401.

THREE COMMUNITY SOLAR ARRAYS

Crow Wing Power currently has three community solar arrays, which about 100 of our Cooperative Members subscribe to.

  • Phase 1 was built in March, 2017 next to our headquarters north of Brainerd. That project sold out quickly by members wanting to support solar.
  • Phase II was built in June, 2018 at our Swanburg outpost near Ideal Corners. That project's 111 shares sold out in mid July, 2020.
  • Phase III was constructed in the spring of 2022 and started producing solar power on April 22.  

In the Fall of 2016 we began selling shares in a new Community Solar Project and within a few months we were 100% sold out.

On March 22, 2017 the panels were installed and hooked up to the grid and solar production began. Subscribers began seeing credits on their May bills for the month of April and March.

Our community solar project features a solar photovoltaic (PV) system manufactured and assembled in Minnesota. The panels are installed in tandem, facing back-to-back to maximize installed watts and energy yield per square foot. Because this arrangement offers complete PV coverage of a space, the performance of the system is virtually unaffected by its system azimuth. This is ideal for applications where maximum energy generation is required in a limited space.

We celebrated our new Community Solar Project with a ribbon cutting on Thursday April 20, 2017 with our member supporters/subscribers and Board of Directors. 

View Phase I Solar Array Production

Crow Wing Power built and commissioned a second Community Solar Array or Phase II in June of 2018. Its solar shares sold out two years later in July, 2020. It's located at the Swanburg Outpost east of Pine River.  

Phase II Array Size:

  • 50.47 KW DC – 43.2 KW AC
  • 3,000 square feet
  • Average Predicted Annual Energy Production:
  • 55,000 kWhs
  • Enough to supply five homes
  • Solar Panel Manufacturer:
  • Solar World, made in the US

Solar Panel Installer:
Viking Electric In. out of Spring Grove MN

Cell Type:

Monocrystalline

Panel Size:
38" X 78"

Number of Panels:
144

Average Annual kWh Projected Per Share:
500/kWhs/share/annually

View Phase II Solar Array Production

Phase III Community Solar 

Crow Wing Power built and commissioned a second Community Solar Array or Phase II in April 2022. Its solar shares sold out two years later in July, 2020. It's located at the Swanburg Outpost east of Pine River.  

Members can purchase one to five shares, but no more than their annual kWh average use. 

The Phase III Community Solar array has similar characteristics to the Phase II project.

Phase III Array Size:

  • 55.0 KW AC
  • 3,000 square feet
  • Average predicted annual energy production 72,000 kWhs 
  • 144 panels
  • 144 shares
  • 20 year contract

Cost: 
$1,235/share

Shares Available: 
144

Average Annual kWh Projected Per Share: 
500 kWhs 

    View Phase III Solar Array Production