Drs. Michael Overend and Lucy Grina are a husband-and-wife veterinary team with more in common than just their profession: they’re both passionate advocates for clean energy. The office of their practice in Two Harbors, Minnesota sits on a highly trafficked highway on the Lake Superior shoreline. This visible location is now home to a solar power array that powers the business and reminds everyone who passes that clean solar energy is a choice made by their neighbors—and it could work for them, too.
Fighting climate change on multiple fronts
The two veterinarians, both volunteers with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, are deeply committed to combating climate change. Interested in converting both their home and business properties to solar power, they saw two strong benefits. Building solar arrays would reduce their own carbon footprint while increasing the visibility of solar power in their community. They watched friends switch to solar with help from All Energy Solar, and chose the company based on their recommendation.
Help from PACE incentive program
Installing solar at two locations was made easier when the St. Paul Port Authority PACE program provided the majority of the financing for the business solar project. The PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) program provides low-cost, long-term financing and makes it easy for building owners to transfer payment obligations in case of a sale.
“We look forward to seeing these investments in our home, and our small business, pay for themselves in reduced electric bills over the next decade and eventually generate income for us or the future owners of these properties. At the same time, these investments will substantially reduce our carbon footprint, benefit our environment and create jobs. We did this for ourselves, our community, our planet, our children and future generations to come. It is a win-win-win and it truly is a good thing to do!”
–Dr. Michael Overend (Owner)