Energy Resources For Businesses

The majority of gas and electricity consumption in Golden Valley comes from the commercial sector. Connecting with local businesses to make energy improvements will lead to significant reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the City.

The Energy Hero Recognition Program acknowledges local businesses for taking steps to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy usage, increase renewable generation, or other practices that contribute to the City’s goals outlined in its Energy Action Plan.

Apply For Recognition

Download Application

Businesses can apply to the program on the City website or in person at City Hall.

Approved businesses will receive window clings to display, their name listed below, and other marketing material for advertisement on business website and social media pages.

Carrying out the Energy Action Plan is a community effort. There are a number of ways that residents, organizations, and businesses can get involved to help achieve Golden Valley's energy goals.

PIE created these resources to help businesses determine what steps they can take to improve their energy consumption:

• Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Businesses (PDF)
• Small Business Energy Decision Map (PDF)

Some simple ways for your business to save energy:

• Lighting: Make the switch to LED bulbs to drive long-term energy and cost savings to your bottom line
• HVAC-R: Install a high-efficiency boiler, furnace, and water heater with rebates from CenterPoint Energy
• Turn off your equipment automatically: Automate your stock room lights and HVAC system to shut off when they’re not being used with occupancy sensors and updated controls.
• Commercial Refrigeration: Improve energy efficiency with anti-sweat heater controls, zero-loss energy doors on freezers and coolers, and LED refrigerated display case lighting

Learn How to Lower Energy Bills with an Energy Assessment

Save money and energy with a visit from Energy Smart. Energy experts will conduct a free whole-building energy audit and help businesses identify opportunities for savings.

The One-Stop Efficiency Shop helps small business customers identify opportunities to improve lighting and HVAC systems with a free assessment.

If you have a refrigeration system, you’ll also benefit from signing up for Xcel Energy’s Commercial Refrigeration Efficiency program, which offers free refrigeration assessments to help determine how to reduce energy use and costs.

If you are a large business customer, take Xcel Energy’s Energy Assessment Match questionnaire to find the assessment best for you. Visit xcelenergy.com/Business to get started.

If you have a small business, sign up for a free Minnesota RETAP assessment. The on-site visits from their skilled, retired professionals can find you ways to increase energy efficiency and water conservation and reduce waste and operating costs.

If you are an Xcel Energy Minnesota commercial customer, MN CEE Business Energy Assessment offers affordable whole-building energy assessments. Though not required, facilities with building automation systems (BAS) and centralized HVAC systems will benefit most from an MN CEE Business Energy Assessment.

When businesses sign up for an energy assessment, energy efficiency experts will help them understand what rebates they are eligible for and help them complete the paperwork.

Utility rebates from Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy help reduce the upfront costs for equipment upgrades, including heating, cooling, and food service equipment.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) makes it easy to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with no upfront costs. Building owners who use PACE pay back the loan through property taxes as a voluntary special assessment.

Trillion BTU Financing can cover up to 100% of costs for eligible energy projects. The goal of the program is to create a positive cash flow payment schedule with energy savings exceeding the payment obligation. 

Commercial Energy Efficiency Loan Program provides up to $100,000 in financing to businesses making cost-effective energy efficiency improvements.

Solar Energy

Solar power is considered one of the cleanest forms of energy production, with no associated fuel costs, air emissions, or waste, and it takes very little water to manufacture. 

There are a variety of resources to help your business get started with solar, including the MN Department of Commerce or Xcel Energy.

Learn how the City of Golden Valley uses solar energy to help power its buildings.

Electric Vehicles

In the last few years, the City of Golden Valley has installed two electric vehicle charging stations on its campuses (City Hall and Brookview).

Read about the City's use of electric vehicles here.

Other Resources

If on-site solar is not a viable option at your business, there are subscription options, such as Windsource® or Renewable*Connect®, that are available through Xcel Energy to purchase renewable energy. Sourcing energy from wind, solar, or other alternative energies helps reduce emissions and can be an attractive brand attribute for environmentally-conscious businesses. With subscription options, businesses can avoid the upfront expense of purchase and installation of on-site alternatives and do not have to worry about ongoing maintenance or the eventual replacement of equipment.

Partners in Energy (PIE) provides residential and commercial services to communities to develop an energy plan and assist with implementing that plan. Each community has its own unique energy needs and priorities, and Partners in Energy tailors its services to complement each community's vision.

Read about Golden Valley's participation in PIE and the PIE process here.

• View Executive Summary of Energy Action Plan (PDF)
• View the full Energy Action Plan (PDF)