Why We’ve Updated Our Community Solar Program — And What a Recent Court Ruling Means for Minnesotans

At PureSky Energy, we believe in keeping solar simple, reliable, and cost-saving for everyone. That’s why we want to share an important update about a recent court decision in Minnesota that affects community solar—and what we’ve done to protect our customers.

What Happened?

In a recent decision, the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld a ruling by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that will significantly reduce the value of solar credits for many community solar subscribers across the state.

Previously, most subscribers received credits based on the Applicable Retail Rate (ARR)—a rate tied to the rising cost of electricity. These ARR-based credits were part of long-term contracts, often set for 25 years, and were designed to grow in value as energy prices rose. This made solar an effective way to lock in savings and plan for the future.

Now, the Court’s decision forces subscribers to switch to the Value of Solar (VOS) rate, which is typically 20–30% lower and does not increase alongside retail electricity rates. For many cities, schools, nonprofits, and families—especially those relying on tight budgets—this shift means losing thousands, even millions, in expected savings.

Learn more about the rate change from ARR to VOS »

What Does This Mean for PureSky Customers?

While this ruling affects many developers and subscribers, PureSky is committed to continuing to deliver real savings. That’s why we’ve updated our Minnesota community solar program to a fixed-rate savings model.

Under this new approach, you’ll continue to save 10% on the cost of your solar credits—guaranteed. That means:

• Predictable monthly savings

• No surprises if credit formulas change

• Stability you can count on, even in a shifting regulatory environment

We made this change to put our customers first—especially at a time when rising utility costs and policy uncertainty are making energy decisions harder than ever.

Why It Matters

Community solar is supposed to be a win-win: it gives Minnesotans access to clean energy without needing rooftop panels, and it reduces electricity costs while helping the state meet its climate goals. This ruling puts all of that at risk.

Cities like St. Paul, St. Cloud, and Maple Grove are now facing millions in lost savings. School districts may need to make difficult cuts. And low-income families served by cooperative developers are seeing hundreds of dollars in annual savings vanish.

At PureSky, we stand with other clean energy leaders in pushing for policies that respect contracts, protect families, and keep solar affordable.

Moving Forward

We’re proud to continue delivering 10% savings to our subscribers, regardless of shifting state credit rates. It’s part of our mission to make renewable energy work for real people—and to provide the transparency and trust that every customer deserves.

If you have questions about your solar subscription or want to learn more about our fixed-rate program, don’t hesitate to contact us at customercare@pureskyenergy.com or call us at 1-877-267-8727.

Together, we’ll keep moving Minnesota toward a brighter, cleaner, and fairer energy future.