Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL)

The Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) is a nonprofit dedicated to making renewable energy accessible to everyone. We work to expand access to solar and other renewable energy solutions and opportunities that have a tangible impact on poverty in Central & Northern Minnesota.

RREAL’s core goal is to reduce poverty in Central and Northern Minnesota with clean solar energy.

Since our founding in 2000, RREAL has worked to bring solar power to families of all income levels and to communities and organizations as a sustainable solution to rising energy costs.

Your support in recent years enabled us to:

1. Establish one of the first community solar gardens in Minnesota in partnership with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe where proceeds of electricity generation go directly to the Leech Lake Energy Assistance Program (EAP) to address energy burden.  
2. Successfully transition our solar installation workforce development program to the White Earth Tribal and Community College and help set up a similar program at Leech Lake Tribal College. 
3. Add solar panels to a Habitat for Humanity home being built in Cohasset, MN yet this fall.

Together, we CAN build a clean energy future with a focus on solar power and the pursuit of integrated sustainability projects.

Your donation will support the following in 2026:

1. Expand our partnership with Habitat for Humanity chapters in the region by adding solar energy solutions to suitable homes that have recently been built or are in process.  
2. Explore ways to make our Backus, MN campus a showcase of proven and innovative renewable energy solutions that support rural values of resilience, energy independence and sustainable land use.  
3. Continue to reduce energy poverty through our existing community solar garden partnerships and evaluate additional opportunities to expand community solar for community benefit in the region. 

In honor of 25 years in serving the communities of central Minnesota, our board and board alumni have established a matching fund of $2000 for the 2025 Give to the Max Day Campaign.  Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar and our overall goal is $5000.

Your support makes this work possible. Together, we have the power to make a difference!

Donate today and we can build a more sustainable future, together. Thank you!