Group wants solar to rise in renewable-energy universe
Posted: 3:52 pm Wed, June 8, 2011
By Frank Jossi
Lynn Hinkle, policy director with the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, was part of the team that brought solar power to the Spruce Tree Center in St. Paul. (Photo: Matt M. Johnson)
Two years ago a group of green energy entrepreneurs came together to form a new association to promote solar manufacturing in Minnesota.
- Read full story in the June 8th, 2011 story at Finance and Commerce Magazine |
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Welcome to the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association |
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The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) represents and serves Minnesota energy professionals and solar energy users.
MnSEIA is a membership association comprised primarily of organizations involved in photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. MnSEIA promotes the use of solar energy that best serves the public interest and conservation to improve the environment for a sustainable future. |
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PACE Legislation Creates Low Cost Community Financing for Solar in Minnesota |
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ST. PAUL, Minn. – April 1, 2010 – Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the Jobs bill – which includes provisions for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE enables local governments to create voluntary programs that will allow property owners to finance solar, other renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle plug-in improvements to their homes or businesses through voluntary property assessments. "We’ve made huge progress in this legislative session including passing PACE and other provisions in the Jobs bill, which should help attract more manufacturing to our state," said Lynn Hinkle, of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association. " With PACE, Minnesota counties and cities have a set of powerful tools to create energy improvement districts for both commercial and residential properties, and many cities and counties have already expressed interest in implementing PACE financing to help create good local jobs, secure and clean energy," said Hinkle. Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association, Environment Minnesota, AFL-CIO, and a coalition of other organizations contributed to strong clean energy provisions in this new law. Sixteen states have passed similar PACE-enabling legislation, but few have done it with such a strong coalition as in Minnesota. The measure was quickly adopted with overwhelming support in the Minnesota House and Senate earlier this week, proof that lawmakers across the political spectrum understand the environmental and economic benefits of policies that help move our state toward greater energy independence. Under the new law, Minnesota has the potential to significantly increase solar and other types of renewable energy in buildings across our state. "Minnesota property owners can be part of the solution by tapping into the renewable energy resources that our state is blessed with," said Ken Bradley, director of Environment Minnesota. "PACE allows building owners to make investments by using energy savings and pay those investments back through voluntary property assessments," said Bradley. The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) represents and serves Minnesota energy professionals and solar energy users. MnSEIA is a membership association comprised primarily of organizations involved in photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. MnSEIA promotes the use of solar energy that best serves the public interest and conservation to improve the environment for a sustainable future. Local governments interested in implementing the new voluntary PACE financing tool can contact Lynn Hinkle at:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, call 612-310-4742, or go to www.MnSEIA.org. Environment Minnesota is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Its professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for Minnesota's environment. Environment Minnesota's staff draws on 30 years of success in tackling our state's top environmental problems. More information about Environment Minnesota is available at: www.EnvironmentMinnesota.org. |
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Solar Works Solar Energy Forum |
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10% Solar Energy Forum
Thursday, March 3 · 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location
School of Environmental Studies, Forum Room
12155 Johnny Cake Road
Apple Valley, MN
Introductions by Mayor of Apple Valley, Mary Hamann-Roland
Join the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society in a public forum to discuss the proposed 10% Solar Energy Standard legislation with West Metro Legislators, Renewable Energy Business Leaders, including Joel Cannon from tenKsolar and the Solar Works for Minnesota Coalition leaders.
Solar Works for Minnesota campaign is building public support for increasing solar energy use in Minnesota with the goal of moving the state toward generating at least 10% of our energy from solar power by 2030. Minnesota is too dependent on dirty energy sources such as coal and oil that pollute our air, threaten public health and our security. Minnesota imports more than $20 billion dollars of energy each year from other nations and states, stimulating their economies while negatively impacting ours.
The key next step in our state’s transition to a clean energy economy is a widespread deployment of solar energy technologies. Despite our cold weather climate, Minnesota has a surprisingly impressive solar energy potential, as strong as Florida. Germany, the world’s leader in solar installations, is presently on pace to produce 10% of all their energy from solar by 2020. Minnesota’s solar energy resource is approximately 25% better, yet our resource has been essentially untapped.
Minnesota has more than fifty companies working in the solar energy industry, primarily selling their products outside of our state with a limited instate market. These industries provide us with a unique economic opportunity while providing clean energy that will reduce our dependence on imported energy.
Please join Solar Works for Minnesota Coalition that includes more than 125 businesses, labor and non-profits from the West Metro Region. This will be a panel type discussion including energy experts, solar business sector, and an open to discussion with the audience. |
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