Our Mission

MRES is a catalyst, equitably advancing a sustainable low-carbon society
and a renewable energy economy through education, leadership and example.

October Speaker Series

The Solar Road Less Traveled

Renewable Energy Partners was founded by North Minneapolis resident Jamez Staples in 2013, the year Minnesota passed major legislation setting goals for solar energy in the state. They saw an opportunity to contribute to the global transition to a Clean Energy Economy while also creating economic opportunities for more people and organizations to benefit from clean energy investments. As the Covid pandemic faded and federal incentives for clean energy expanded, REP became one of the fastest-growing solar development firms in the region. Join Renewable Energy Partners CEO Jamez Staples for a deep dive into REP’s history and a preview of what’s to come.

About the Speaker:

Jamez Staples serves as CEO of Renewable Energy Partners (REP), a Minnesota-based solar development firm he has led for more than a decade. Under his leadership, REP has become a model for how renewable energy can drive both environmental progress and social equity. The company’s mission is to address climate change and poverty simultaneously using solar energy not only to reduce utility costs but also to create training and employment opportunities in the clean energy sector.

In addition to his work with REP, Jamez leads Northgate Development, a real estate firm responsible for developing the Regional Apprenticeship Training Center (RATC) in North Minneapolis. This facility is strategically positioned on the highest used transit line in Minnesota for non-profit workforce development organizations to provide career and technical education for youth and adults, preparing them for high-demand careers in construction, renewable energy, and sustainability fields.

Jamez is an intentional North Minneapolis resident with a focus of promoting an inclusive, sustainable future that benefits both people and the planet.

October LIVE ONLINE PRESENTATION

Thursday, October 16th @ 6:00pm

New!
As of March 2025, you will need to register for the monthly Speaker Series.
Simply provide your name and email and you will be emailed a link to join the Zoom presentation.

Green Rock Apartments Transform Multifamily Housing from Old to Sustainable: A Guide for Property Owners

Dale Howey, in six years, has transformed his Green Rock Apartments into a model of carbon-neutral housing. Howey, a Minneapolis owner/renovator, has completed eight multi-unit building retrofits. The physical improvements, coupled with enhanced livability amenities, have dramatically reduced each building’s utility usage/cost of energy, increased owner profits, and improved livability for residents. Most importantly, the retrofits have significantly reduced the use of fossil fuels, and thus contribute toward lowering the world’s extreme carbon emissions.

Howey’s intention is to open-source his unique retrofit approach so that others may gain ideas, inspiration, and guidance. To that end, the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, in collaboration with Green Rock Apartments, has produced a detailed guide documenting Howey’s projects, noting the carbon-reducing products used, retrofit project financing, key contacts and sources for further research. The following guide highlights four Green Rock Apartment buildings in Minneapolis, MN that have been retrofitted to near zero carbon by Howey. These retrofits have greatly lowered utility usage, increased owner profits and have improved livability for Residents. Most importantly, these retrofits significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels to further lower the world’s extreme carbon emissions.

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