It’s State Fair time! Mark your calendars: August 21-Labor Day 

Come visit the MRES indoor & outdoor exhibits and get energized!
Play Eco-Experience Bingo and earn a prize. 

The Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair is the go-to place for learning ways you can save money and the planet. Learn the latest in energy efficiency, renewable energy, electric vehicles, sustainable practices and financial incentives that can help you lower your carbon footprint. There’s fun for the whole family! 

The Eco Experience is presented by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. MRES is one of many exhibitors you’ll find here. Please visit us. Homeowners, apartment and condo dwellers can all find paths to a clean energy and sustainable future. 

RACE TO RENEWABLES! CONNECT TO THE SUN 

MRES EXHIBIT FEATURES: 

Indoor Exhibit:

  • Think efficiency first:  What does energy efficiency “feel” like?  Spin our hand-crank generator to compare the energy it takes to light an LED compared to an incandescent bulb. Make your home an energy star!

  • What’s Cool about Heat Pumps?: Ground source heat pumps, water-to-water and water-to-air? Air source heat pumps or duel fuel? Heat pumps can efficiently heat and cool your home and also heat your water.

  • Solatubes: How far can a pipe carry sunlight? MRES Partner, Solar Midwest, will demonstrate this surprising passive solar technology.

  • Solar Phone Charging Station: Need some power? Plug into the sun.

  • Tim’s Tiny House: Get inspired! Tim Pendergast embedded his charming scale model house with energy efficient technologies. Can you find them all?

  • Solar Suitability Station: Learn the solar suitability of your site and your options for going solar.

  • Financial Incentives: Learn about incentives still available and the Solar United Neighbors group buy program can help make going green easier.

  • Solar-Powered Boats: MRES will showcase two 2025 MRES Solar Boat Regatta winners. What else can you power with the sun? 

  • Solar Toys Dome: Cover the light source. What happens? 

  • Wind Energy Storage Challenge: Light up a town with energy produced by wind and stored in water pumped to a reservoir high in the air. 

  • Win a Solar Oven: Sign up to win a Sport Solar Oven provided by Persons Helping People. The prize drawing will be on Labor Day, 5:05 p.m.

  • Join MRES- Video Tour: Learn the benefits of supporting MRES! There’s something for everyone: Free monthly Zoom Speaker Series and Speaker Library;  the annual Solar Boat Regatta, Eco Experience and Sustainability Home Tour; (3) Community Solar Gardens serving low income families; and educational tabling at events around the state.

Outdoor Exhibits:

  • MRES Tiny House: Explore (4) ways this house collects solar energy, then visit the Bingo station to see if you got them right. 

  • Solar Phone Charging Station: Need some power? Plug into the sun.

  • Solar Dunking Bird Challenge: Experiment! How many solar panels does it take to rock the bird? What changes when a cloud rolls by? 

  • Your choice—Solar Shingles or Traditional Solar Panels: It only gets better! 

  • Solar Pollinator Garden: MN is a leader in Solar Pollinator Gardens, which produce clean energy, use native plants to feed pollinators, and hold carbon in the soil. 

  • Go Electric! PV + EV + Storage = Living on Sunshine: What does it look like in real life? See components arranged as they could be in your home or garage. 

  • Reuse and Recycle: Extend the life of your PV components & EV batteries.

  • Solar Cookers: Passive solar cooking can reverse global warming around the world! Register indoors for a chance to win the Solar Oven on display here.

  • Wind-Solar-Storage Hybrid Experiment: Lake Region Electric Cooperative is saving customers money & reducing global warming. Read their story next to the giant wind turbine blade.

2025 Eco Experience Partners, providing exhibits, expertise and essential services and/or financial support:

Join us!