Welcome to Connect To The Sun! - Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) - Connecting Minnesotans with Renewable Energy Resources

Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) - Connect To The Sun

Fun Fact

According to the Department of Energy, enough sunlight reaches the Earth every hour to meet the world's energy demand for a whole year.

Welcome to Connect To The Sun!

About Connect To The Sun

Located in The Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair, Connect To The Sun, the solar exhibit sponsored by the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES), walks visitors through the world of solar energy in simple terms with demonstrations of actual equipment. Guests can learn about using energy from the sun to power their home and pick up information about exciting, community-based energy projects such as the Linden Hills Co-op's "Rays the Roof" campaign to raise money to install solar electric panels on the co-op. The MRES Connect To The Sun exhibit, developed in conjunction with the Science Museum of Minnesota, highlights ways individuals can learn about and support solar energy in their lives. Come see the solar car, designed by students at the University of Minnesota, and a solar boat.

•	Aurora III, the U of M's solar powered vehicle has a top speed of 78 mph, runs 55 mph on the power of a hairdryer and can travel over 120 miles without any sun!
•	Make waves with a solar powered boat that sailed in the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society's Solar Boat Regatta.
•	Find out about a new incentive that gives homeowners a 30 percent federal tax credit for solar electricity and solar thermal installations.

Explore the Exhibit

	Act to Support Solar Energy Find your own ways, small or large, to use solar technology. Once you start, you'll discover new ways to add solar energy to your life. Learn more…
	Explore Solar Energy Technology Understanding three basic solar energy systems helps you begin exploring and experimenting with solar energy technologies. Here's a glimpse at what they do and how they work. Learn more…
	Engage Youth in Solar Energy The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) invites student-teacher teams, families, and interested individuals to take part in the annual Solar Boat Regatta. Experience the thrill of competition and the pride that comes with inventing something useful, forward-thinking, and fun. Learn more…
	Join the Solar Energy Revolution As energy prices soar and concerns about climate change grow, more people are choosing the clean, abundant power of the sun. Learn more…
	Prepare Your Home for Solar Energy Conserve first to save later. Reducing your energy use will keep a lid on the cost of your future solar energy system. A smaller load requires a smaller system. Learn more…
	Living With Solar: Renewable Technology in Action (PDF) All powered by the Sun, renewable technologies can be used alone or in combination to save money and conserve energy. Inside, find stories of Minnesota property owners who heat and power with solar. Learn more…

This exhibition was developed and produced by the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, St. Paul, Minnesota, in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota through the Community Partnerships Serving Science Program. The exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the National Science Foundation and individual donors.

2006 exhibit partners include:

Best Power Intl. LLC

Fifty Lanterns International

Home Power Magazine

Innovative Power Systems

Izzy's Ice Cream

Linden Hills Food Co-op

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Northland Sustainable Solutions

Solarhardware.com

Solar Midwest Inc.

Sundays Energy

University of Minnesota, Solar Vehicle Project

U.S. Department of Energy

Winkelman's Environmentally Responsible Construction (WERC)

2928 5th Avenue South • Minneapolis, MN 55408 • (612) 308-4757 • info@mnRenewables.org