Minnesota to Name Community Solar Garden Program After 'Solar Godmother' Melissa Hortman

The state legislature plans to honor the former Speaker Emerita for her pioneering work in clean energy and solar power.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Minnesota House Energy Finance and Policy committee unanimously voted to pass a bill that would name the state's Community Solar Garden program after former Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Hortman was known for her passionate advocacy for clean energy and solar power, authoring the state's solar energy standard and community solar laws in 2013. The CSG program she helped create has enabled thousands of Minnesotans, especially low- and moderate-income individuals, to access solar energy without installing their own systems.

Why it matters

Hortman's work in championing solar energy and community solar programs has had a significant impact on Minnesota's clean energy landscape, creating jobs, businesses, and new opportunities for residents to participate in the renewable energy transition. Naming the CSG program after her is a way to honor her legacy and the profound effect she had on expanding solar access across the state.

The details

The bill, HF 3556, was introduced by Rep. Patty Acomb, DFL-Minnetonka, and heard in an emotional committee hearing on Tuesday. Testifiers, including the deputy commissioner of the Department of Commerce and the CEO of Enterprise Energy, praised Hortman's work and the far-reaching impact of the CSG program she helped establish. While acknowledging Hortman's humility, the representatives agreed that naming the program after her was an important way to recognize her as a 'solar godmother' and champion for clean energy in Minnesota.

  • The House Energy Finance and Policy committee heard HF 3556 on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.
  • Hortman authored Minnesota's solar energy standard and community solar laws that were passed in 2013.

The players

Melissa Hortman

The former Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota House of Representatives, known for her passionate advocacy for clean energy and solar power. She authored the state's solar energy standard and community solar laws in 2013 and helped establish the Community Solar Garden program.

Pete Wyckoff

The deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce, who stated that the state's Community Solar Garden program was the 'initial driver of solar buildout at scale in Minnesota.'

Eric Pasi

The CEO of Enterprise Energy, who spoke about the sprawling impact of Hortman's work in the clean energy industry, enabling thousands of Minnesotans, including renters, small businesses, schools, and low- and moderate-income families, to participate in clean energy for the first time.

Logan O'Grady

The executive director of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, who affectionately referred to Hortman as the 'solar godmother' and credited her as the reason thousands of people across Minnesota have jobs and livelihoods in the solar industry.

Patty Acomb

The DFL-Minnetonka representative who proposed the bill to name the Community Solar Garden program after Melissa Hortman, acknowledging that Hortman would likely be uncomfortable with the recognition but that it was important to honor her legacy.

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What they’re saying

“Thousands of Minnesotans — renters, small businesses, schools and especially low- and moderate-income families — have been able to participate in clean energy for the first time. This program didn't just build solar farms. It built Minnesota businesses, it built careers, it built opportunity.”

— Eric Pasi, CEO, Enterprise Energy (pineandlakes.com)

“She was, of course, 'Representative' and 'Speaker.' But in our world, she was our champion, our fiercest ally, our defender, our five-star general, and most affectionately, however, she was our solar godmother. She's the reason thousands of people across Minnesota have a job and a livelihood today, for the solar communities bill isn't just about policy — it's deeply personal.”

— Logan O'Grady, Executive Director, Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (pineandlakes.com)

“One thing I think we all knew about Melissa is that she wasn't always seeking the spotlight. She wasn't looking to be recognized, and she really enjoyed the opportunity to be able to lift up others. And so she probably wouldn't be very comfortable with this today, but I think that's why it's really important.”

— Patty Acomb, DFL-Minnetonka Representative (pineandlakes.com)

What’s next

The bill to name the Community Solar Garden program after Melissa Hortman will now move to the full Minnesota House for consideration.

The takeaway

Melissa Hortman's pioneering work in championing solar energy and community solar programs in Minnesota has had a profound and lasting impact, enabling thousands of residents, especially low- and moderate-income individuals, to access clean energy. Naming the state's Community Solar Garden program after her is a fitting tribute that recognizes her legacy as a 'solar godmother' and champion for renewable energy.