Minnesota

Solar Efficiency Rank: #46 in the nation (1,158 MWh/year*)

Number of schools in state: 3,051

Solar Total Output Rank: #15 in the nation (3,533 GWh/year* and 2.2% of Total US Output potential)

* Calculations assume that schools install a 1 MWp solar array

Average Solar Potential, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the Photo-Voltaic Output (PVOUT) in KWh/year, a measure of the electrical energy generated, of a 1 MWp solar panel array installed in a school within that zip code. 

Dark-red colored zip codes have higher PVOUT values and correlate to ideal regions for solar panels. These regions often have higher elevation, more exposure to sunlight, and latitude values closer to the equator. Solar arrays in these locations will outperform those placed in yellow or orange colored zip codes. 

Number of Schools, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the number of local schools in that region. Dense population centers (like cities) have smaller land-area and higher number of schools in each zip code. 

Total Solar Potential, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the total Photo-Voltaic Output (PVOUT) in KWh/year, a measure of the electrical energy generated, of 1 MWp solar panel arrays installed at every school in that zip code. 

Areas with higher density of population, and therefore a larger number of schools, will show up as dark-red on the map. As decisions to “go solar” are often made by local school boards, communities in these regions can make an outsized impact. 

Top 10 Schools in the State

Schools are sorted by solar potential. The schools below are the best candidates in the state for installing (or expanding) solar panel arrays:

Rank School Address Solar Potential
(MWh/year)
1ACTON ACADEMY ALBUQUERQUE6901 SAN ANTONIO DR NE
ALBUQUERQUE, MN 87109
1629.91
2HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY404 S 4TH ST
BEAVER CREEK, MN 56116
1227.19
3HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY301 N SUMMIT AVE
HILLS, MN 56138
1224.11
4HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL501 S CENTRAL AVE
HILLS, MN 56138
1223.87
5ELLSWORTH SECONDARY513 S BROADWAY
ELLSWORTH, MN 56129
1220.61
6ELLSWORTH ELEMENTARY513 S BROADWAY
ELLSWORTH, MN 56129
1220.60
7LUVERNE MIDDLE709 N KNISS
LUVERNE, MN 56156
1219.74
8LUVERNE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM709 N KNISS
LUVERNE, MN 56156
1219.73
9EDGERTON ELEMENTARY423 1ST AVE W
EDGERTON, MN 56128
1219.27
10LUVERNE SENIOR HIGH709 N KNISS
LUVERNE, MN 56156
1219.17