In Minnetonka, Minnesota, tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood surrounded by bike trails and parkland, a vibrant senior community is quietly leading the way in sustainability. Applewood Pointe in Minnetonka isn’t your average retirement cooperative—it’s a hub of environmental action. I recently sat down with Dennis Bauchwitz, one of the driving forces behind Applewood’s green initiatives, to hear about how this 89-unit senior co-op is making real progress through community solar and composting.
Applewood Pointe is more than just a building—it’s a shared investment. “We all own everything in the building,” Dennis explains. “The kitchen, the great room, the guest suites... it's all shared.” Residents buy into the cooperative, contributing to the mortgage and shared amenities like TV and lawn care. This shared ownership model builds a strong sense of community and opens the door for collective action on sustainability.
Surrounded by nature and local history (the land was once owned by the Al Capone family of Chicago!), Applewood Pointe offers its residents a scenic and peaceful setting. But its real strength lies in its people and their willingness to take initiative.
Dennis Bauchwitz, Community Solar Customer in Minnesota
Dennis’ sustainability journey began with a simple question: “What can we do for the environment here?” Initially, he explored traditional rooftop solar solutions. But between the sloped roof and concerns about long-term contracts and maintenance issues, it quickly became clear that on-site solar wasn’t the right fit.
Then he found PureSky Energy. “They were really receptive,” he says. The community solar model offered by PureSky was just what Dennis had been looking for—no rooftop installation, no long-term financial risk, and no maintenance headaches. “It was a lot easier, a lot cleaner,” he said. “You’re basically just shifting part of your utility bill to support solar.”
"They [PureSky Customer Care] were really receptive. It was a lot easier, a lot cleaner. You're basically just shifting part of your utility bill to support solar."
- Dennis Bauchwitz, Community Solar Subscriber from Minnesota
Residents still pay their individual utility bills, but now many of them are doing so with a lighter carbon footprint. “It started with just a few of us,” Dennis recalls. “Then I received a sustainability award from the city, and that drew more attention. More people joined after that.”
Earlier this year, Dennis was honored by the City of Minnetonka’s Sustainability Commission with an award in the energy category. The award recognized his efforts to bring community solar to Applewood Pointe and encourage fellow residents to participate. It also acknowledged his earlier work on a successful composting program.
Minnetonka’s award program highlights individuals and organizations who make a measurable difference in areas like energy, waste, water, and youth engagement. “It’s not just about solar,” Dennis notes. “Before that, I was involved in composting, too.”
Dennis’ composting journey began in the local library, where he spotted a composting bin and became curious. “I thought, what’s this all about?” He dove into research and quickly realized how impactful composting could be in reducing landfill waste.
With a grant, Dennis secured more than 30 compost bins for Applewood Pointe’s public spaces, hundreds of compostable bags, and even arranged for a county speaker to educate residents on proper practices. “Now about 40% of our members participate,” he says. All large community events now use compostable materials, and Dennis and others help deliver the collected compost to a nearby drop-off site.
While not everyone participates, Dennis respects their choices and continues to offer support. “Some say they don’t cook much, so they don’t have compost, or they think it’s a hassle,” he explains. “But it’s really not that hard—and we’ve even taken others’ compost when needed.”
In a city where only 11% of residents currently compost, Applewood Pointe stands out thanks to Dennis and his neighbors’ efforts. With composting, community solar, and a shared commitment to greener living, this senior cooperative proves that environmental leadership can come from unexpected places—and that it’s never too late to make a difference.
As Dennis put it simply, “This is our way of chipping in.”
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