Category Archives: Commercial

Impact Power Solutions Ranked top 10 Solar Developer in the US

What is the Top Solar Contractor’s List?

Curated by Solar Power World, the Top Solar Contractors list is made to showcase the work of solar installers and developers of all sizes. The list is determined by the number of kilowatts installed by a solar energy company in the previous year, divided into categories by the type of service the top solar contractor provides, regions, and states.

From the Curators of the Top Solar Contractor’s List

“The Solar Power World team is so pleased to highlight more than 400 companies on the 2020 Top Solar Contractors list, especially during this unprecedented time,” said Kelsey Misbrener, senior editor of Solar Power World. “All contractors featured on the 2020 list reported strong 2019 installation numbers and are continuing to stand tall this year.”

Top Solar Contractors Continue To Strive For Recovery

Despite COVID-19 being the immediate issue for the world to address, reducing carbon emissions to aid in climate change remains a top priority that affects all of us.

The top solar contractors that made the list, the people we work with, and the communities we live in are all facing obstacles that have never been seen before. Q1 showed the largest amount of solar capacity ever installed in the United States, adding 3.6 GW of solar capacity. The force of these challenges emerged in Q2, with forecasts of 25% and 38% decreases in year to year volumes in 2020.

Regardless of the turbulence faced in these uncertain times, solar energy is still effective in combating greenhouse gas emissions as an alternative to fossil fuels, and will continue to aid in efforts for economic recovery.

Our Take On Being A Top Solar Contractor

We’re thrilled to announce that we are the #1 solar developer in the Midwest, among the top 10 commercial solar developers in the US, and grateful to be a part of Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors list for the 8th consecutive year.

In the 29 years since our founding, we have never faced challenges like the ones we see today. We extend our deepest thanks to our employees, clients, and community for making the installation of 29,784 kilowatts of solar capacity possible, and for the positive impact we’ve made on the environment together.

2020 Solar Trends: Opportunity Zones

Opportunity zones are certified low-income areas into which investors can deploy capital for value-adding projects, in exchange for federal capital gains tax and other advantages.

In general, capital gains are incurred when selling an appreciated asset such as real estate or stocks. The appreciated gain is taxed at a special rate, which is typically 15% to 20%.

By investing in opportunity zones an investor’s capital gains rate can be reduced by 50% to 75% depending on how long the investment is held.

Opportunity zone funds can be used for solar, microgrids, electric vehicle charging stations, and energy storage.

Another benefit, Investors will not be taxed on any capital gains incurred from a project if they hold that property or asset for a decade or more.

There are 8,760 opportunity zones in all 50 states.

2020 Solar Trends: Xcel Solar Rewards Program

Xcel’s Solar*Rewards® program provides a financial incentive for residents, businesses and public entities to install solar power. Monthly payments are made to the owner of the solar system in exchange for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) produced by solar. This is known as a performance-based incentive or PBI.

Xcel customers also qualify for Net Metering up to 1 megawatt AC (or enough power for roughly 200 homes). If you generate more than you need, the extra energy is added to the grid, and any excess energy will be credited to your bill.

Additionally, there’s a specific sub-program for under-resourced communities and income-qualified multi-family.

It is important to note that small commercial incentives levels are decreasing.

Also, large projects qualify for a separate bill-credit mechanism called capacity credit program or ELPC which was strengthened in 2019.

2020 Solar Trends: Minneapolis Green Cost Share Program

The City of Minneapolis is offering an incentive to install solar: the Green Cost Share Program. Qualifying projects will be compensated based on the solar array’s projected first year kilowatt hour production, up to $50,000. Funding ranges from $.20 to $.40.

Priority will be given to buildings in designated Green Zones and to buildings that are participating in the 4D Affordable Housing Program.

Worth noting, projects receiving funding will require prevailing wage.

2020 Solar Trends: Corporate Solar

Major corporations are really stepping up and making a commitment to sustainability and clean energy! Industry leaders like Target, Walmart, IKEA, and Cargil have decided to leverage solar to benefit their business and the environment.

Additionally, real estate investment trusts are also getting in the mix. Earlier this year, we announced two new projects with STAG where we are leasing their roofs for community solar projects!

IPS Solar hosts Solar Power Hour at Surly Brewery

IPS Solar hosted another great networking event at Surly Brewery. With over 70 in attendance our Chief Development Officer Eric Pasi and fellow sales team member Andy Stahlman presented on the benefits of solar in the commercial real estate space.

Eric and Andy talked about building owner challenges and how to speak to each one of those while going going the growing benefits to commercial solar as well as how to secure solar financing.

Learn More about Commercial Solar

We had a great Q&A session afterward and many of those in attendance said they enjoyed the beer and food while networking with those in commercial real estate and energy.

IPS Solar was very grateful to all that attended and committed to provide clean, affordable energy to their community.

Green Line Portfolio Ribbon Cutting

We had a beautiful day to cut the ribbon and commission 1 MW of commercial rooftop solar in St. Paul. With St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman on hand, IPS Solar, Xcel Energy, and building owners alike joined in the celebration of the largest solar project in St. Paul to date.

After touring the 4 buildings in the Green Line Portfolio, we held a reception in the beautiful space that is University Enterprise Labs. After some brief remarks from the parties involved, we capped it off by enjoying some drinks and apps with our guests and media.

Thanks to everyone who attended and please join us for our next solar celebration.

Green Line Portfolio Press Release

Download Green Line Portfolio Case Study

Univ. Enterprise Labs | Court International | Univ. Centre | 1000 University

Manufacturing & Industrial Properties Help Power Twin Cities With Community Solar

Originally published by Building Owners and Managers Association
Written by Steve Oman

Imagine a time lapse flyover of the Twin Cities Metro area during the last 3 years. In addition to all the new construction, it would showcase an ever-increasing number of rooftop solar installations. You would see solar installations on shopping centers, such as Ridgedale Mall, big box retailers, such as Target or Kohl’s, and on more and more large manufacturing, industrial warehouses or Public Works buildings.

Many of these recent solar investments are driven by increasingly attractive economics, but also sustainability goals and supply chain mandates. Industrial manufacturers, for example, have large rooftops that can help significantly reduce operational expenses and also meet green initiatives pushed down the supply chain from procurement managers or consumers. Despite the ever-growing number of large industrial, e-commerce and distribution warehouses built in the last five years, many of them inside the Twin Cities urban core, very few currently have a rooftop solar installation.

So why hasn’t rooftop solar caught on with large e-commerce and distribution warehouses and large industrial properties, especially those located within that “last mile”? Many property owners have looked at solar in the past, mostly from a cash purchase perspective.

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Impact Power Solutions | IPS