News and Media

For all media-related inquiries please contact our Communications Director Allye Doyle at:

(651) 529-2881 or email: allye@cooperativeenergyfutures.com

We're thrilled to announce that Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF) has been awarded three prestigious prizes/grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, marking a significant milestone in our journey to advance renewable energy nationwide and ensure equitable access to solar power for all communities.

 Buildings Upgrade Prize ("Buildings UP"): This funding will support CEF's energy efficiency program, spearheaded by Audrey Pallmeyer, aimed at enhancing the energy performance of residential and commercial buildings through upgrades and retrofits.

 Round 2 of the Community Power Accelerator Prize: We're proud to continue our efforts in developing community solar projects and innovative models for equitable clean energy deployment with support from this grant.

 Equitable Solar Communities of Practice Grant: This recognition acknowledges CEF as a leader in community-led economic development through solar, fostering collaboration to ensure underserved communities benefit from the transition to renewable power sources.

B-Roll and Images

• Drone footage of completed Shiloh Temple project: (2 minute downloadable mp4)

• Drone footage of completed Ramp A project: (2-minute downloadable mp4 file)

• Time lapse of Ramp A panel installation: (27-second downloadable mp4 file)

• Time lapse of Ramp A panel installation and array from late afternoon through sunset to night: (4.5-minute downloadable mp4 file)

• Ramp A photo repository: Photos of the project are available here.

• Demo video of the design of the Ramp A community solar canopy

Talks about the Cooperative Energy Futures Model:

• May 18, 2019: Climate Justice Presentation and associated July 2, 2019 Transcribed Interview with Timothy DenHerder-Thomas by The Humanist

• December 11, 2018: TEDx Mahtomedi Presentation

• October 22, 2016: Zero Waste Summit

Links to news and othEr Media ABOUT CEF’s WORK:

• January 29, 2024: Inside Climate News article on CEF selection to build solar projects for low income and BIPOC communities in Illinois.

• November 30, 2020: Inequality.org article on CEF’s model of cooperative ownership

• November 10, 2019: Cool Solutions podcast episode highlighting cooperative community solar

• November 6, 2019: Londsdale News review profiles Faribault solar garden

• November 3, 2019: Southwest Journal article on Xcel Integrated Resource Plan highlights role of CEF in providing an alternative to energy monopolies.

• October 8, 2019: Red Lake Nation News covers the launch of the Ramp A community solar garden

• June 2, 2019: Saint Cloud Times highlights the Haven community solar garden as part of a feature on growing solar development

• December 7, 2018: Star Tribune feature on the importance of CEF’s cooperative model

• November 9, 2018: Mankato Free Press highlights affordable housing participation in the Waseca community solar garden

• October 29, 2018: WCCO TV story on the Ramp A community solar garden

• October 29, 2018: Minneapolis Star Tribune Article on the Ramp A community solar garden

• September 10, 2018: The shiloh project is featured in a video called, "Happening Minnesota: A Clean Energy Road-Trip", see 6:44-8:45

• September 2, 2018: Article in Mankato Free Press about southern MN projects

• August 16, 2018: Video by MN Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTS) on the launch of the Shiloh project

• August 9, 2018: Feature on ABC 5 Eyewitness News about launch of Edina community solar project

• July 24, 2018: Podcast by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance on the Shiloh project

• July 18, 2018: Article in the Sun Current about launch of Edina project

• April 23, 2018: Video by Sierra Club on the collaboration between communities of faith on the Shiloh project

• March 29, 2018: Article in Insight News, a local newspaper based in North Minneapolis, about Shiloh project

• March 9, 2018: Article on Minnesota Public Radio News website about the launch of the Shiloh project

• March 4, 2018: Article in the business section of the Minneapolis Star Tribune about the launch of the Shiloh project

• July 6, 2017: Midwest Energy News highlights CEF’s model of creating low-income access to solar

• September 26, 2016: Clean Technica report and Podcast on the Cooperative Energy Futures model

• August 7, 2015: MinnPost highlights racial equity approach of the Shiloh Temple project