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Commercial and Residential Solar

10361 Jamestown St NE, Blaine, MN 55449
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Case Studies

CASE STUDY: GreenHalo Builds High-Efficiency Home

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Type of Project

CCE Team

Client

  • GreenHalo Builds Homes- EcoRidge Development

Project Inspiration

We’ve teamed up with GreenHalo Builds to bring client’s the high-efficiency home of their dreams. This partnership ensures both GreenHalo Builds and our team at Cedar Creek Energy can provide top-notch service and highly efficient systems to newly built homes throughout the state. The first development is called EcoRidge in Stillwater, MN.

Approach

As with all our customers, we meet them where they are. For the folks at GreenHalo Builds, they have made a significant commitment to build smart, energy-efficient homes. So, solar is a natural choice for them. What makes this project so much fun is that we have come together with their team to make their already great homes even better. The first EcoRidge project includes:

  • 16 Jinko 315-watt panels 
  • 5.04 kW system size

The Final Result

The first system went live in November, 2020  and will produce 5,796 kWh within the first year of production. Clients will save $725 in their first-year, and over a lifetime will save over $18,000.

For this project, clients received:

  • Tax credits and rebates for the first year: $4,300
  • Xcel Energy Solar Rewards Rebates for the second year through the tenth year: $400/year
  • Rate of return on investment in less than 7 years

In addition, each home can also easily add a Tesla battery storage and Tesla Electric Vehicle charging stations to their home.

We are thrilled for our client’s to experience their high-efficiency homes and the savings they’ll receive!

Case Study: Eich Mazda + VW

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Type of Project

CCE Team

Client

Project Inspiration

The leadership team at Eich Mazda & Eich VW are seeing the auto industry shift toward electric cars, so they decided to join the trend and make the shift to renewable energy and sustainability by adding solar to their two St. Cloud locations. By making this switch, the folks at Eich Mazda and VW are making big strides as leaders of sustainability in the auto industry. Not only are they promoting renewable energy through their electric vehicle products, but they’re using renewable energy to fuel their own work- they’re walking the walk AND talking the talk!

Approach

Cedar Creek Energy created a custom-designed roof-mounted solar array based on the available roof space of Eich Mazda and VW. Our team began by optimizing the incentives of the utility of the solar array versus the electrical consumption of the client.

  • The number of panels Installed:
    • Eich VW- 132 Jinko 400 watt
    • Eich Mazda- 222 Jinko 400 watt
  • System size Solar (kWh/year):
    • Eich VW- 64,550
    • Eich Mazda- 106,900

This project was completed in conjunction with Boser Construction who was the general contractor for the project.

The Final Result

Eich Mazda and VW received a 30% federal tax credit- add that to their Xcel Energy rebate, and their system will be paid off in less than 5 years! Not only did they receive expert financing that cut their cost, but they made an investment they can be proud of.

The first system went live in November 2020, and will save 54,609 lbs in Co2 emissions each year at Eich VW, and 90,437 lbs in Co2 emissions per year at Eich Mazda. They’re doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint and be true leaders of sustainability.

We are so excited to follow their journey in renewable energy!

Case Study: Bittman Family

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Type of Project

CCE Team

  • Rick Tisdale
  • Anders Henningsgaard
  • Jason Breiland
  • Tyler Nelson  
  • Clint Carlson
  • Mark Gerlach
  • Ryan Carlson
  • Greg Schoepp

Client

  • Single-family, residential home in rural Minnesota.

Project Inspiration

Bill and Barb Bittman had always wanted to install solar; it had been a goal of theirs since the 80s. Encouraged by the promise of greater energy security, the Bittmans decided 2020 was the year to decrease their home’s reliance on grid power by switching to renewable energy. They enlisted Cedar Creek Energy to create a roof mounted system for their home.

Approach

We conducted an energy audit at the Bittman residence to determine the best course of action.

The Bittmans were planning an addition to their house; we designed their system so that the 40 Jinko 315 panels installed would not affect the new addition.  Part of this was accomplished by using some roof areas where the panels would be seen from the street.  Since the looks of the system were important, we suggested using an all-black panel for the installation. Bill and Barb liked the looks of the panel, so we proceeded with the installation.

The Final Result

Cedar Creek Energy installed an 11.34 kW system on the Bittmans’ roof.  They will receive a federal tax credit of 26% and a rebate from Xcel Energy of $0.07 per kWh produced for 10 years. These two rebates covered over 50% of the cost of the project. Through electrical savings, the solar array will pay for itself in about 8 years.

“My wife and I have been interested in residential solar since the early ’80s. We decided to put our dreams into reality and started our search. Estimates came from 5 different companies. After review and a solid recommendation from a family member, we landed on Cedar Creek Energy. The company came highly recommended, and we had a great rapport with Rick Tisdale. He was very knowledgeable and had patience with us novices. 

We would like to acknowledge the professionalism and knowledge of several personnel: Anders Henningsgaard, Jason Breiland, Tyler Nelson, Clint Carlson. They did a great job. Mark, Ryan, and Greg also filled in and helped this project along. Without them, I don’t think this would have gone as smoothly as it did. 

We are proud of our project and can’t wait for Xcel’s final approval and turning the switch on. Thank you for having and running such a great company.”

-Bill Bittman

CASE STUDY: Aveda

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CO2 Emissions Saved/Year
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Type of Project

CCE Team

Client

  • Aveda Corporation, a cosmetics company dedicated to sustainability

Project Inspiration

Aveda’s mission “is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world.”

Aveda’s business model has always strived for sustainability, so it only made sense to go solar. The Minnesota company partnered with CCE to build a solar array that would power the Aveda headquarters building and provide a lifetime of savings that can now be directed towards their mission of environmental leadership.

Approach

Cedar Creek Energy created a custom solar energy solution to support Aveda’s environmental sustainability goals. As CEO Rob Appelhof said, “Large companies like Aveda are taking the lead to show people the value of clean, renewable energy. We were honored to have the opportunity to help Aveda realize its mission.”

After receiving approval for the project from the City of Blaine (officials tweaked their zoning last year to allow it), Cedar Creek Energy’s solar team went to work analyzing the amount of consumption at Aveda HQ. Then the team engineered a ground mounted solar array that would fit nicely into the allotted space while producing an impressive 1,518,000 kWh of power each year.

The Final Result

The Aveda array is projected to produce 1,518,000 kWh annually, resulting in savings of $118,000 each year. An additional PV demand credit through Xcel Energy is calculated at a savings of $43,500 annually. The solar panels will also reduce Co2 emissions by over 1.2 million pounds every year.

Additional financial incentives available in year one include:

  • $522,150 Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit
  • $310,700 Federal Depreciation
  • $29,150 State Depreciation

“This solar project is a great opportunity to show our commitment to the environment. We are hoping the guests and customers of Aveda see the value of it. People will really see Aveda as walking the walk and talking the talk.”

–Dan Schibel, Aveda’s global sustainability manager

CASE STUDY: Brin Glass

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Facilities With Solar
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Panels in Fridley
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Panels in Waite Park

Type of Project

CCE Team

Client

  • Commercial solar, rooftop mount 

Project Inspiration

The company manufactures, fabricates, and installs glass windows and doors that are made with energy-efficient materials. Brin Glass is primarily in the construction industry.  There are four different locations.  Website: https://www.bringlass.com/

Approach

Cedar Creek Energy assessed the company’s energy needs and available roof space through an energy audit. This information allowed solar designers and engineers to create plans for a custom solar energy array that would meet Brin Glass’s needs. Once a plan was in place for installation, Cedar Creek Energy worked closely with Brin Glass to secure PACE financing, a grant from the City of Minneapolis, 30% federal tax credit, and Xcel Energy’s Demand Credit program. 

The Final Result

The company started the solar process back in 2018. By updating to solar energy, Brin Glass will remain a leader in the glass and glazing industry, a reliable partner their customers want to work with, and a company their employees are proud to work for. Brin Glass qualified for the Xcel Demand Credit Program. This means that they are compensated 6.9648¢/kWH between the hours of 1 PM and 7 PM during all months of the year by producing energy when Xcel needs it the most. So far, Brin Glass has installed solar on three of its four locations. The expected return on investment and positive cash flow are less than five years for all three projects. 

“Our company in collaboration with the building owner made a decision to invest in solar energy because it aligns with our core values and the industry we serve. We chose Cedar Creek based on their experience in navigating the entire solar project experience which includes; regulatory requirements, financing options, ROI analysis as well as consulting on best practices in dealing with the utility company.

We just completed our third project with Cedar Creek and couldn’t be more pleased to have partnered with them on our solar projects. Brin Glass manufactures, fabricates, and installs glass windows and doors that are made with energy-efficient materials. Efficiency is very important to President Bill Sullivan, so solar energy’s cost-saving potential and environmental benefits resonated with him. There are also numerous state and federal tax credits and depreciation credits that made sense for the company from an economic standpoint; this ultimately led Brin Glass to move forward with solar energy system installations on three of the company’s five buildings.”

-Bill Sullivan, President, and CEO, Brin Glass Fridley

CASE STUDY: The City of St. Cloud Drinking Water Treatment Center

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Equivalent Trees Planted

Type of Project

CCE Team

  • Alex Gast
  • Jeff Bowman
  • Jason Breiland
  • Ryan Carlson
  • Jacob Friehl
  • Anders Henningsgaard

Client

  • The City of St. Cloud Drinking Water Treatment Center

Project Inspiration

The City of St. Cloud pledged to prioritize sustainability back in 2015. Since then, the City has completed several projects with Cedar Creek Energy: the Waste Water Treatment Facility, maintenance building, library, aquatics center, and fire station, to name a few. The City’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. MPR News wrote a great article covering the City of St. Cloud’s pledge to be 80 percent renewable energy by 2018. The Water Treatment Center is another building phased into the city’s goals to become significantly more sustainable. For many cities, drinking water treatment plants are one of the biggest energy drains; St. Cloud is no exception. Government officials hoped that utilizing solar energy at the plant would offset these energy needs through the use of renewable energy.

Approach

Prior to the design of the solar energy system, Cedar Creek Energy performed an energy audit at the Water Treatment Center to highlight energy-saving opportunities. After the audit had been completed, Cedar Creek Energy began the design of a custom solar energy system and later installed the photovoltaic solar modules. The solar array at the Water Treatment Center now consists of a 234 kW DC and 200 kW AC energy system.

  • 234 kW DC and 200 kW AC
  • Produces around 200 MWh a year
  • CO2 emissions saved: 613,037 lbs so far
  • Equivalent trees planted: 15,440  so far

The Final Result

The installation at the Water Treatment Center has helped The City of St. Cloud reach its goal of becoming powered by at least 80% renewable energy. This is an astonishing increase from the city’s 5% renewable energy utilization in 2015.

The City of St. Cloud was largely interested in renewable energy because of the environmental benefits. The Water Treatment Center’s PV solar system has followed through on its promise of sustainability by saving 613,037 pounds in CO2 emissions to date. This is the equivalent of 15,440 trees being planted.

“In all likelihood, we’ll be 80 percent renewable energy by 2018. I don’t know another municipality of this size in the state that’s at that level.”

–Patrick Shea, St. Cloud’s public services director