Minnesota installed enough solar panels in 2017 to power and run about 53,000 residences, and growth seems promising for this year, too. According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which is responsible for tracking solar installations, the state now boasts of an overall capacity of more than 700 megawatts. Commercial Solar Systems Installation grew rapidly in Minnesota last year.
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is redoubling his administration’s efforts to cut down the state government’s carbon footprint. As a first step, late last year, he had directed state agencies to try and reduce their fleet fossil fuel consumption, building energy use per square foot, and the total gaseous emissions by 26% within the next 10 years.
Minnesota is one of the six states nationally, and the only in Midwest, with a perfect rating on state government-led initiatives given by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
The Next Generation Energy Act and its Implications
Minnesota’s current clean energy levels owe a lot to the Next Generation Energy Act which was a crucial piece of legislation that had at its core objective the growth in renewable sources of energy and cost reduction for various consumers through energy efficiency and conservation.
The Act has substantially added to the state’s economy as investments in renewable energy generation create roughly 3 times more jobs per dollar as compared to fossil fuels. About half a million people in Minnesota work in the clean energy industry. Additionally, working as a solar installer is one of the fastest growing occupations in the country.
Between the year 2007 and 2016, Minnesota’s economy saw a growth of 29% and the greenhouse gas emissions from the electric industry were also reduced by about 29%, all while the state had one of the lowest unemployment rates and one of the highest median household incomes in the U.S.
The state’s governor, Mr. Dayton, is looking to add on-site solar installations too. The first on their list is the Senate Office Building, a fairly new structure that can hold a significant number of solar panels. According to Commerce Commissioner Jessica Looman, Minnesota has ambitious plans of reaching a gigawatt of solar potential by the next year. The state also hopes to reduce its emissions by 26% from 2005 levels by the year 2025.
While Minnesota lags behind on the solar energy storage front, a study by the University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab conducted last year showed strong potential for solar installation and storage.
The best Solar Energy Company, Minnesota
Cedar Creek Energy is a solar energy contractor that provides Residential and Commercial solar systems installation services along with Commercial LED Lighting retrofits in Minnesota. We help you go green on your energy consumption needs and enable you to save your hard-earned money by providing the leading alternative source of energy: the Sun!
Be a part of this growing trend in Minnesota, and turn to renewable energy! To find out more, contact us at Cedar Creek Energy. We will visit your site of installation (home/business) and will conduct a free solar energy audit to determine if you structure is fit for a solar panel installation.