A Decade of Impact, Powered by Partnership

As Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) turns 10, we’re proud to share our impact with such inspiring, dedicated, and hardworking businesses. Earlier this year, we reflected on ten years of CEEM at the Capitol, looking at the policies, partnerships, and progress that helped shape Minnesota’s clean energy transition. Now, we turn to the people and companies who have been part of that journey from the very beginning.

In conversations with founding members, a clear theme emerged: over the past decade, Minnesota’s clean energy transition has moved from possibility to reality. The early years focused on building understanding, fostering momentum, and designing the framework for innovation. Today, the focus is on delivering results that provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy.

Through member stories, we see how far the industry has come and how CEEM’s work has helped make that progress possible.

From Education to Implementation

For many CEEM members, the last decade has been defined by a clear transition from making the business case for clean energy to putting it into practice at scale.

“At first, it was an education mission. Now, we are at the implementation stage,” said Bali Kumar, Chief Operating Officer of Pace Loan Group. As the market has matured, so has demand. Projects are larger, inbound interest is growing, and the work is expanding beyond regional boundaries. “Less time convincing people and more time actually doing the work,” he said. “All the tailwinds are in our favor.”

At Ever-Green Energy, that evolution has been rooted in a commitment to partnership and adaptability. “Community energy systems are not a one-size-fits-all solution,” said President & CEO Luke Gaalswyk. “Over the past decade, we’ve utilized a variety of approaches and technology with the knowledge that our job is to follow the data, stay objective, and deliver the best available, best-fit solution. It is through this approach that we become trusted partners in each stage of a project.” That approach has supported the emergence of new technologies and models, including networked geothermal systems. Ever-Green is currently partnering with local entities, including the Saint Paul Port Authority, on The Heights redevelopment, on track to become one of the largest networked geothermal systems in the country.

The shift toward more integrated solutions is also clear in the solar industry. For companies like founding member TruNorth Solar, adapting to this modern implementation phase has meant looking at complete energy systems. “Over the past decade, we’ve really evolved from being primarily a residential and commercial solar installer to taking a more complete view of how people use energy,” said TruNorth Solar President Marty Morud. While solar remains core, the company is increasingly focused on pairing it with battery storage and designing systems that meet broader energy needs. “It is less about a single product now and more about creating a complete energy solution.”

Together, these perspectives reflect a broader hopeful reality. Minnesota’s clean energy transition has entered a new phase, one defined by scale, sophistication, and delivery.

Policy That Delivers Results

This progress has been supported by a policy environment shaped by collaboration between businesses and policymakers, with CEEM serving as a bridge between the two.

Commercial Property Assess Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing is a clear example of how that collaboration has delivered tangible results. Over multiple legislative sessions, CEEM worked alongside industry partners to update Minnesota’s C-PACE statute in ways that responded directly to market needs. Kumar pointed to key changes, including clarifying the use of C-PACE for construction financing, extending loan terms to 30 years, and enabling higher loan-to-value ratios.

“These are practical changes that made projects possible,” Kumar said. “CEEM understood what businesses needed and conveyed that message clearly to get bipartisan support.”

In the solar sector, policy development has focused on modernizing programs, incentivizing investments, and removing barriers that slowed deployment. “CEEM has played a really important role in creating a policy environment where solar businesses can grow,” Morud said. Updates to residential solar programs and increased support for deployment helped move projects from concept to construction. “That kind of progress is what has allowed solar to really scale in Minnesota.”

These successes share a common thread. Policy works when it reflects real-world conditions, helping businesses move from planning to building. That combination of decisionmaker education and coalition-building has helped Minnesota maintain momentum, even as the federal policy landscape continues to evolve and energy demand increases.

A Connected Clean Energy Community

As Minnesota’s clean energy economy has expanded, so has the network behind it. CEEM’s growing membership reflects this momentum, now surpassing 75 member organizations. What stands out today is the strength of that community and the collaboration that continues to drive it forward.

“Minnesota’s clean energy community heats and cools buildings, gets us from point A to point B, and powers our grid while supporting our state’s economy by fostering a thriving workforce that is helping to build our communities of tomorrow,” Gaalswyk said. He emphasized that this progress is built on both new relationships and long-standing partnerships, many of which have been fostered through CEEM’s work.

That network plays a critical role in navigating change as policies evolve and markets shift, particularly in today’s environment of rapid policy change. “By remaining flexible, seeking tailored solutions, and staying committed to the effort, CEEM encourages us all to follow their example,” said Gaalswyk. CEEM’s role in educating policymakers and highlighting the economic value of clean, reliable, and affordable energy continues to be central to that effort.

Morud pointed to collaboration as one of Minnesota’s defining strengths and superpowers in retaining, growing, and attracting new businesses to the state. “The solar industry here is not operating in a silo. It is part of a much bigger clean energy ecosystem where people are working together to get things done.” One of Minnesota’s greatest competitive advantages is its collective commitment to cooperation and community.

Leading by Example

Minnesota’s approach to clean energy has drawn national attention. In fact, CEEM has been invited to the Midwest Governors Association conference to present on our forward-thinking approach. Across sectors, the state has demonstrated how innovation, know-how, and collaboration can come together to drive results.

In C-PACE financing, Minnesota’s willingness to adapt has made it a leader and a beacon for other states. By refining the program over time, it has become more accessible and more effective.

In the built environment, Minnesota’s long history with district energy systems has positioned it at the forefront of emerging solutions like networked geothermal and thermal energy networks. Minnesota’s Energy Conservation and Optimization program alone has generated enough energy savings in 2022 and 2023 to heat, cool, and power more than 147,000 homes for an entire year. These built systems leverage local conditions and resources to deliver efficient, reliable energy at a community scale.

The same spirit of innovation extends to solar and beyond. Programs that help guide adoption, combined with a collaborative industry, have created an environment where new ideas can move quickly from concept to reality. “What makes Minnesota stand out is the level of collaboration,” Morud said. “People are working together to actually get things done, not just set goals.”

Looking Ahead

The next decade will bring new challenges and new opportunities. Energy markets are evolving rapidly, influenced by global dynamics, infrastructure needs, and growing demand for electricity.

For policymakers, this means focusing on energy productivity and how different parts of the system work together to grow our economy while simultaneously reducing emissions. Integrating heat, power, buildings, and industry will be essential to improving efficiency and maintaining affordability, while also accounting for the people behind the system, from workers to consumers to the communities they impact. As Gaalswyk noted, this requires adaptability: “The landscape surrounding energy availability and type is evolving. It will be increasingly important for policymakers to focus on energy productivity and think about how we integrate heat, power, buildings, and industry.”

At the same time, there is a strong sense of momentum. “The next decade for solar will be about integration,” Morud said. Expanding the connection between generation, storage, electrification, and grid improvements will help maximize value for customers. “What is exciting is that it still feels like we are just getting started.”

The economic case remains just as important. Clean energy continues to create new workforce opportunities across the state, with 39.7% of all clean energy positions statewide located in Greater Minnesota, according to the most recent Clean Jobs Midwest – Minnesota report. This industry supports Minnesotans using their existing skills while creating pathways for family-sustaining career opportunities. “There’s something for everyone,” Kumar said. “We’re creating well-paying jobs, both construction and permanent roles, and building pathways for the next generation of workers.” From job creation to long-term asset value, the economic case for clean energy continues to strengthen and is one of the most powerful drivers of the transition.

Continuing the Work

As CEEM enters its second decade, these founding member perspectives point to a defining truth: progress is powered by partnership and passionate people. The past ten years have shown what is possible when businesses, policymakers, and communities work together. CEEM’s members have been central to that progress, turning policy and relationships into projects, and ideas into outcomes.

As we look ahead, that coalition will remain essential. The next chapter of Minnesota’s clean energy future is already underway, built on the same foundation that has guided the first decade. The CEEM network invites you to be part of this vital work. Join CEEM today and help shape the next decade of the clean energy transition.