A Minnesota farm is helping people power their homes and businesses with solar energy without having to put panels on their roof.

Eichten’s Cheese Farm in Chisago County is about to become one of Minnesota’s biggest community solar gardens.

For several decades, the Eichten’s family farm has prided itself on one rich Minnesota product.

“I guess over 30 years I’ve been making cheese,” said owner Ed Eichten.

But along with the cream, recently the farm began churning out something greener.

“Our electricity bill always kind of shocked us every month, so we were trying to think of a way we could cut electricity costs,” he said.

Two years ago, Eichten had 160 solar panels installed behind his house.The panels turn sunlight into electricity, which is converted on his farm and piped straight into his factory.

Part of making cheese is having really good refrigeration. Eichten says his 13 compressors and coolers comprise most of his energy usage. His solar panels are taking some of the weight.

“They’re helping immensely [to] take the bite out of the electricity bill for cooling all this stuff,” he said.

The panels produce one third of Eichten’s energy, saving him about $500 a month.

Now his land could help others reap the same rewards. With […]