Pequot Lakes, MN
Client Introduction & Background
Lonesome Cottage is the largest rustic furniture manufacturer in the country, handcrafting high-quality furniture that blends timeless craftsmanship with modern sustainability. Headquartered in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, Lonesome Cottage employs about 75 people, all dedicated to creating beautiful, durable furniture that customers can feel good about owning.
Lonesome Cottage is committed to sustainability, “down to the last twig.” From building with reclaimed wood to heating their facility with wood waste, they’re constantly looking for ways to make their production process as green as possible. Their next step: solar power.
When an opportunity arose to offset nearly all of their production facility’s energy usage with solar, Lonesome Cottage knew it was the right move. Partnering with Cedar Creek Energy allowed them to achieve that goal while also securing a USDA grant to cover a significant portion of the project costs.
Our Approach
Lonesome Cottage’s solar journey began when Brandon Andersen, President of Lonesome Cottage, was referred to Cedar Creek Energy by a friend who met a Cedar Creek contact in his commercial real estate circles. Brandon connected with Erin Traxler, Project Developer at Cedar Creek Energy, who was clear, precise, and focused on one key goal: making solar simple and affordable.
One of the most compelling parts of their conversation was learning about the availability of a USDA REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grant. With this grant, Lonesome Cottage could reduce the cost of their solar array by 40%, a game-changer for any business considering solar. Cedar Creek Energy helped with the submission process.
Results
Once the grant was secured, Lonesome Cottage trusted Cedar Creek Energy to handle the rest. The solar system was designed to power Lonesome Cottage’s production facility — not the showroom — meaning it would directly support the most energy-intensive part of their operation.
Installation began in late August and was fully completed by early October, all while keeping Brandon and his team in the loop every step of the way. With clear communication and consistent updates, Cedar Creek made it easy for Lonesome Cottage to stay focused on their business while the solar project moved forward as planned.
“The process went smoothly,” Brandon said. “Annie, our Project Manager, did a great job communicating status, and everything was within the timelines they projected.”
The result is a sleek, 403.2 kW (DC) solar energy system covering both sides of the facility roof. The energy produced by the array is expected to offset nearly all of the energy used by the production facility, and the business will enjoy more predictable energy costs and lower utility bills, even as energy prices rise. With a USDA grant covering 40% of the cost and Cedar Creek Energy hitting every milestone on time, Lonesome Cottage achieved a fast, efficient path to solar.
Key Takeaways
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- System Size: 403.2 kW (DC)
- Industry: Manufacturing
- Grant: 40% of project costs covered by USDA REAP grant
- Production Use: Solar powers the production facility, offsetting most of its energy needs
