Moving away from New England toward the Midwest, Home Power magazine gives accolades to Minnesota, another state on its “Solar Super States” list. Minnesota is a state known for its progressive “green policies;” no wonder the state has embraced solar energy initiatives as well. In fact, Minnesota was the first state to adopt net metering rules. Since 1981, residents who install solar electricity systems receive a check at the end of each month for any excess energy they generate.
Minnesota demonstrates that latitude does not stand as a detriment to harnessing the sun’s energy. At a statewide average of 4.5 daily peak sun hours, Minnesota’s average is not much different from other Home Power super states like Maryland and Massachusetts. On Minnesota’s Energy Info Center website, the state boasts that it has potential to receive more annual solar energy than Houston, Texas and nearly as much as Miami, Florida.
Minnesota has several state laws to encourage solar photovoltaic installations. Its Solar Rebate Program, established in 2002, offers $2.00 per watt for solar electric systems up to 10 kilowatts in size, essentially reducing a system’s cost by 20 percent. In addition, the state exempts solar equipment from sales tax.
In Minnesota the sun trumps shade. State law gives local zoning boards the authority to create solar access easements to protect a property owner’s solar array from shading.
In 2006, Minnesota, like other fellow top solar states, set a goal requiring that energy companies must source 25 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2025.
Minnesota is the only Midwestern state to make Home Power magazine’s Top Ten Solar States list. This state has “solar chutzpah” further dispelling the myth that solar energy is only viable in hot and arid regions.
April 25, 2008
A public opinion survey published last week in Florida indicates that residents overwhelmingly support State-backed initiatives to invest in solar energy, even if it increases their monthly utility bills. Over 81 percent of the survey’s 625 respondents said that they are willing to pay a dollar more on their monthly utility bills to support the investment in solar energy. The survey, commissioned by the state, was conducted after high consumer demand depleted the state’s solar rebate program fund six months earlier than anticipated.
Floridians are not alone in their enthusiasm for solar power. According to the 2008 March/April edition of Solar Today, a publication from the American Solar Energy Society, public opinion polls regarding alternative energy often rank solar energy at the top of the list as the most viable alternative energy source.
As a precursor to California’s aggressive “Million Solar Roofs” initiative, the state polled voters in 2004. Survey results indicated that respondents favored developing more renewable energy sources over building more power plants by a two to one margin. And an article published last July in the New York Times reported that a survey conducted by a trade association from the nuclear power industry found that its respondents preferred — solar. According to the Times article, the nationwide survey asked respondents to predict what source of energy would be used to generate the most electricity in 15 years. The sun won, gaining 27 percent of respondents’ votes over other energy sources such as nuclear, natural gas, and coal.
So perhaps solar energy will soon draw singular attention in Congress? The public certainly has become more aware of energy tradeoffs: gas prices are impacting people’s household budgets; electricity rates are increasing; and weather patterns have become more erratic. The media and pundits continually remind us that climate change looms and is a partial cause of the recent economic and weather chaos. Though solar energy may never fulfill all our energy demands, it most certainly can contribute to moving us toward a viable mix of alternatives.
March 20, 2008
