Solar panels installed at Celtic Junction

As the clock ticks down on Federal Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) for solar projects by year’s end, the Governor’s Office and local nonprofits celebrated the success of a new community solar installation and investment project at Celtic Junction Arts Center (836 Prior Ave. N) on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. H.R. 1 – the Federal budget bill passed into federal law on July 4, 2025 – rolled back tax incentives and direct-pay subsidies for people and organizations to install solar and wind energy. These rebates often covered up to 30% of the cost.
The solar array at Celtic Junction Arts Center was made possible through a revolving loan fund from MnCIFA to MNIPL, in partnership with Lake Street Solar and Apadana Energies, a local solar developer.
These groups and others are working closely with the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA), which provides flexible lending, as well as tapping into resources with the Minnesota Department of Commerce energy division and other state agencies, to add solar systems while federal tax credits are still available.
This project, and others made possible by MnCIFA and the collaboration of these groups, can serve as a model for other nonprofit organizations and faith communities who are interested in building their own solar projects.
“MnCIFA is excited to see these solar projects move forward as a way for the nonprofits to save energy and save money so they can invest more money into their communities,” said MnCIFA Executive Director Kari Groth Swan. “These projects demonstrate the value for the State of Minnesota in establishing MnCIFA to offer green financing for projects that would otherwise not move forward.”
• Jan. 1 to July 4, 2026: Nonprofit and public entities seeking to qualify for Federal ITCs for solar and wind energy must comply with new limitations on materials from FEOC.
• July 4, 2026: Solar and wind Federal ITCs conclude, but will continue until 2032 for geothermal, energy storage.
Nerbonne stated, “We’re excited to both celebrate the Celtic Junction Arts Center project and invite people to think about how they can do something similar in their own communities. Our future depends on our ability to convert as much of our energy to renewable sources as quickly as possible as climate change factors increase.”