Grid congestion caps Minnesotan s rooftop solar ambitions
FRANK JOSSIE of Energy News Network
May 6, 2021
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NORTHFIELD, Minn. (AP) The explosive growth of community solar projects to meet demand from Twin Cities customers is curtailing clean energy options in a southern Minnesota college town.
Northfield, about 40 miles south of Minneapolis, is home to Carleton and St. Olaf colleges and around 20,000 residents, whose strong interest in clean energy is reflected in a solar adoption rate three times the state average. The city passed a climate action plan in 2019 that calls for eliminating carbon emissions by 2040, in part through the expansion of rooftop solar.
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A number of elected leaders in Wisconsin have publicly supported the latest climate plans from the Biden administration, and a state lawmaker from the central region hopes it can boost training for clean-energy jobs while protecting agriculture.
As part of his vision to drastically cut greenhouse-gas emissions, President Joe Biden aims to create ten million new clean-energy jobs.
Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, where the Midwest Renewable Energy Association is located, said organizations like it will play a key role in helping displaced workers transition to careers in wind and solar. And I think that they would play a key role in enhancing workforce training, skilling up workers in this economy, Shankland stated.
Grow Solar returns for sixth year
The Telegraph
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GODFREY Grow Solar Metro East, a local group-buy and solar education program, is marking its sixth year.
Several volunteers who help promote the Grow Solar Metro East program are also proud solar power installation owners, such as Chris Krusa of Glen Carbon.
“I added 17 more panels via the Solarize program in late 2018 to the 12 that were installed previously, and am very pleased with the cost benefit,” he said. “We are pleased to share our experience.”
Peter Murphy, solar program director for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), said financing for solar projects is becoming more prevalent.
March 11, 2021 / 12:18pm / Julie McClure
Geothermal Urbana-Champaign is hosting four more Geo Power Hours to share about installing a geothermal energy system in your home or business. If you are in Champaign, Piatt, or Vermillion Counties, you have the opportunity to participate in a group-buy supported by the City of Urbana, Geothermal Alliance of Illinois (GAOI), Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). From the press release: Geothermal Urbana-Champaign enables participants to effectively reduce energy use and reduce overall draw on the electricity grid. Geothermal provides a level of energy security in their community through the use of renewable thermal energy, while simultaneously conserving energy and lowering long-term energy costs.