Minnesota tops many lists; magazines and websites have lauded our state’s access to parks, high school math scores, life expectancies, and even our bike trails. At Cedar Creek Energy, we’re particularly proud of one ranking: Minnesota is in the top 12 states for solar power usage in the country. Our state has installed an impressive 1,390 MW of solar power!
With the current Novel Coronavirus pandemic, solar energy is more relevant to our economy and environment than ever. Our ranking in the top dozen U.S. states for solar use means our local companies and residents may be better equipped to ride out the long-term effects of the virus. Here’s why Minnesota’s commitment to solar matters in the midst of a pandemic.
Solar Energy Creates Jobs While Respecting Social Distancing
Solar energy companies will always be considered essential businesses because we keep Minnesota homes and businesses running on renewable power sources. Now, as many Minnesotans are facing layoffs, solar energy will continue to provide jobs to boost our economy.
At Cedar Creek Energy, we’ve been able to completely digitize much of our solar design and engineering process. We can meet with clients via phone or video calls, so it’s the perfect time for us to be getting started on new solar projects. In addition, our installation team has minimized their contact with clients, stepped up hand washing procedures, and continues to follow CDC guidelines to keep the community safe.
Solar Energy Costs Don’t Fluctuate Like Grid Power
With more people working from home, there will be a higher demand for grid power. Energy companies are given a certain level of freedom when determining their pricing, so it’s always possible that an increased demand for power could also mean a higher cost to the consumers using that power. But for all the Minnesota homeowners who are utilizing solar energy systems (we have enough in our state to power 190,000 of them), the price of energy will never increase. Even in a pandemic, the cost of the sun’s energy is the same: it’s always free! While the cost of using grid power may fluctuate in uncertain times, solar energy is consistent.
Using Solar Energy Can Amplify Positive Environmental Changes
None of us would choose to be in our current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it’s heartening to see how Minnesotans are taking the Governor’s Order to stay at home seriously and aren’t traveling for work or leisure. With air travel slowed to a crawl and automobile travel minimized due to Governor Walz’ Order, Minnesota’s environment will benefit. Solar energy use amplifies those benefits by reducing some residents’ and companies’ carbon footprints to almost nothing. Climate change always matters, but who can blame any of us for not keeping it top of mind at a time like this? Solar energy allows us to passively stop the negative influence of climate change, so we can band together to protect our communities in more ways than one.
Minnesota Solar Panel Installers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Cedar Creek Energy is committed to bringing solar energy to Minnesota homes and businesses. We’re also committed to doing our part to keep our community safe. We’re available to help you design a new solar array for your home or business, and we’ll do it all with the CDC’s latest guidelines in mind. Our team utilizes virtual document sharing and video conferencing platforms to keep our interactions digital, and our team of installers and technicians minimize contact with clients to maintain social distancing guidelines.
If you’d like to learn more about residential solar energy or a commercial solar panel installation, reach out to our team through our website’s contact page or by giving us a call at (763) 432-5261.