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Knott's Corner Bar and Grill in Lucan, MN cooking up energy savings with PACE

Folks in Redwood County might know Knott’s Corner Bar and Grill in the town of Lucan (pop. 191) for their delicious Buffalo Wings. What they might not know is that the business has become much more energy efficient and is saving energy dollars with the help of the Rural Minnesota Energy Board’s Property Assessed Clean Energy(PACE) program.

Not familiar with PACE? Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a new way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to the buildings of commercial property owners. Energy-saving measures pursued by the owners receive project financing and are repaid as a separate item on their property tax assessment for a set period.

After a couple years successfully running Knott’s Corner, which used to be the Brau Haus, owner and Lucan native Anna Knott decided it was time for a renovation. Located right on Main Street, the business is incorporating energy efficiency improvements into their reno plans, installing LED Lighting, a Desuperheater for hot water heating, a multi-zone refrigerant compressor, R42 insulation, and variable speed ventilation fans. The energy audit estimates that these improvements will result in nearly $5,000 in annual energy savings. The project costs is just over $52,000 with a 10 year payback term requested. With a 4% interest rate that puts the annual payment of roughly $2,580.

Robin Weis, Economic Development Director with the Southwest Regional Development Commission, coordinated the PACE financing. “Low-interest PACE financing made it possible for the building owners of Knott’s Corner to incorporate energy-saving upgrades into their remodel.”

See more resources and available programs >>

Showcasing Renewable Energy Projects in Redwood County

1.  Community Solar Project Moves Forward - Redwood Electric

2.   Zinniel Electric, Morgan, MN - Zinniel Electric

3.  Curt & Karla Trost - ctrost@live.com

Renewable Energy:   Solar & Geothermal

The Trosts installed their solar photovoltaic system March 25, 2011. They built their new home in 2005 and installed the geothermal at the time of construction.  It is a horizontal installation with the vegetable based anti-freeze as the coolant/conductor.  Curt designed the house to best capture the sun's heat gain in the winter, and minimize it during the summer.  The home was built with trusses that incorporate large overhangs and many windows with southern exposure. The house is insulated with urethane foam.  

4.  SMMPA/Wind Turbines: 

The two turbines featured at the top of the page belong to SMMPA and provided renewable energy to their grid and to Redwood Falls. 

5.  Northwest Drywall

Located in Redwood Falls installed their movable solar panel system in 2011. 

6.  Weltsch Equipment Solar Array:  

Click here for their complete story!