Energy
A major contributor to climate change is greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of electricity.The amount of energy Minnesota produces from renewable resources like solar power and wind has risen 60 percent over the past decade. To continue to make strides toward cleaner energy, it is important for local governments to understand energy consumption in their communities.
Switching To An Electric Vehicle (EV)
To learn more about the different types of Electric Vehicles (EVs), visit Drive Electric Minnesota’s website.
If you are interested in electrifying your ride,” read this handout made by the Partners in Energy team to learn more.
The federal government currently offers up to a $7,500 rebate with the purchase of a qualified new EV and up to $4,000 with the purchase of a qualified used EV.
Minnesota also offers a rebate of up to $2,500 for new EVs and up to $600 for used EVs.
For an updated list of currently available electric vehicles in the United States, visit the EV Info List on Shift2Electric’s website.
Charging Your Electric Vehicle
In October 2018, one of Golden Valley's first electric vehicle (EV) charging stations was installed on the City Hall campus in the water tower west parking lot, near McDonald's. Another one was installed at Brookview in 2021. Both are powered by ChargePoint, the largest EV charging network in the world, with more than 300 charging stations in the Minneapolis area (see map of nearby EV chargers).
Charging at a ChargePoint station is similar to pumping at a gas station, except the payment is done through a mobile app or the ChargePoint card for a simpler and quicker transaction. At the City chargers, users pay 90 cents per hour for the first three hours $1.20 per hour after three hours.
For more information about the ChargePoint EV charger, contact the City of Golden Valley Community Development Department at 763-595-8030 or visit the ChargePoint website.
Electric Bikes
Starting in summer 2024, qualified Minnesotans can get a rebate for the purchase of a new electric bicycle of 75 percent the value of the bicycle, up to $1,500. Find more information on MN Department of Revenue’s website, under “Other Tax Rebates and Refunds.”
In early 2020, the City joined Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy (PIE) program to create an Energy Action Plan (EAP). The PIE team helped the City move forward in achieving its energy goals and assisting residents and local businesses with reducing energy bills and carbon footprints..
The Energy Action Plan was reviewed and recommended by the Environmental Commission and approved by Golden Valley City Council in May 2021, with goal progress tracking starting in July 2021.
Energy Action Plan Update
The City’s Energy Action Team annually publishes a progress update of the plan to share how Golden Valley is eliminating greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), reducing household costs, and supporting energy-burdened households. Read the update here.
The Partners In Energy Process
PIE and the City of Golden Valley recruited 12 local leaders, business representatives, and residents to serve on the Energy Action Team. The team also included City staff and a Minnesota GreenCorps member. PIE facilitated five workshops engaging the stakeholders from the Energy Action Team to develop a strategic energy action plan.
The City works directly with the PIE team to provide guidance, education, and resources for City staff, businesses, and residents as they work to achieve energy goals
Energy Action Plan Focus Areas:
- Reducing High and Severe Energy Cost Burden
- Improving Energy Efficiency
- Supporting Clean Energy
Energy Efficient Buildings
The City of Golden Valley's Green Building Guide helps residents choose more environmentally-friendly options for home improvement projects. Green building is a process that reduces and/or eliminates negative environmental impacts over the course of a building's life-cycle.
From design and construction to maintenance and renovation, this Golden Valley-specific guide is designed for residents and local builders. It includes a comprehensive list of guidelines and resources intended for new building projects as well as smaller retrofit or renovation projects.
Paper copies are available at the Community Development counter in City Hall or by calling 763-593-8030.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Funds
Many new rebates and incentives became available with the passage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Visit the IRA guide from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) to learn which resources can save you money and energy.
Some IRA-eligible purchases include solar and geothermal systems, air-source heat pumps, weatherization, water heaters, electric vehicles, electric bikes, stoves, and other home efficiency upgrades.
Utility Rebates
Find energy-saving tips, home rebates, and programs from Xcel Energy to increase your home's efficiency through Xcel Energy online. Includes up to $1,200 for air insulation, $500 for a heat pump water heater, and $1,600 for an air source heat pump.
MN State Rebates
Check the Minnesota Department of Commerce website for a variety of new energy rebates available from the state.
Carrying out the Energy Action Plan is a community effort. There are several ways residents, organizations, and businesses can get involved to help achieve Golden Valley's energy goals.
Lower Your Energy Bills With An Energy Audit
Save money and energy with a visit from the Home Energy Squad®. Energy experts will conduct a home energy audit and provide you with free materials to increase your home's energy efficiency.
Schedule a visit online or call 651-328-6220.
Get Help With Your Energy Bills
The Energy Assistance Program helps income-eligible households with bill payment assistance and energy crisis intervention. Call the Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County at 952-930-3541 or visit the Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County website to learn more.
- Hennepin County Energy Assistance Handout
- Free Energy Resources
Solar Energy Resources
Read the PIE Solar Checklist to learn where to get started.
Visit this solar directory from Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) to search for solar installers in your area. CERTs also provides a list of helpful questions to ask solar installers.
Solar contractors will be able to provide a cost estimate for your project. Make it affordable by using the following resources:
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIREUSA): This database provides a complete list of financial incentives for solar systems from utility, state, county, and federal sources. Select your contractor and install your system.
- Federal Tax Credit: You can deduct 30 percent of the cost of a solar system from your federal taxes.
- Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards®: Solar*Rewards is an incentivized program from Xcel Energy where annual payments are made to the owner of the solar system in exchange for Renewable Energy Credits for the energy produced by the solar system.
Apply for a Solar PV Permit Checklist on the City's ePermits system.
Solar Panels On City Facilities
The City of Golden Valley powers several of its buildings with solar, which increases cost savings and power operations.
Increasing solar energy production helps meet the Minnesota's goal of deriving 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy resources by 2040. It also increases Golden Valley's resilience to energy supply and price shocks by developing locally generated energy sources.
SolSmart Designation
SolSmart is a national program that helps cities, towns, counties, and regional organizations become solar energy leaders. With the help of the SolSmart technical assistance team, local governments are becoming “open for solar business.” Golden Valley received SolSmart Bronze designation in 2019 by meeting the following criteria:
- Created an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community members and solar installers.
- Reviewed local zoning codes and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development.
- Allowed solar by-right accessory use in all zones (so solar installations do not require special permits or hearings).
- Cross-trained both inspection and permitting staff on solar PV.
- Provided a streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems.