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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minnesota Solar Tour is part of the largest solar energy national event in the world, on October 4th Press Release by Minnesota Renewable Energy Society Minneapolis, MN – September 12, 2008 – Minnesota residents will join more than a hundred thousand people across the U.S. in learning about renewable energy and energy efficiency by participating in the 13th annual American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour on Saturday, October 4, 2008. The Minnesota Solar Tour is sponsored by the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES), the local chapter of ASES. The ASES National Solar Tour is the largest solar energy event in the world. Last year more than 115,000 attendees visited some 5,000 buildings in 2,900 participating communities. It takes place annually on the first Saturday in October in conjunction with National Energy Awareness Month. The free, self-guided Minnesota Solar Tour is a series of open houses featuring more than 50 solar-powered homes, businesses, and organizations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Stillwater, Mankato, St. Cloud, Rochester, Duluth, and many other Minnesota cities, which have incorporated energy efficiency and other renewable energy into building design and operation. It provides a good opportunity to learn about solar energy options, energy-saving techniques, and sustainable alternatives. Solar technologies on exhibit include solar thermal, solar photovoltaic (PV), and passive solar, as well as alternative energy technologies like geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines. The building tours also provide helpful real-world examples of installed system costs and how to save money through federal, state, and local incentives. Details on the participating sites, pictures, and maps of the locations can be found on the MRES website.
"We love having our house on the Solar Tour," says solar homeowner and MRES board member Christopher Childs. "Our system is producing as much electricity as we use, and we're thrilled to have other folks see it in action." Childs and his wife, Elizabeth Dickinson, installed a 3-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic array on their 1911 home on St. Paul's West Side last year. The impact of this annual event is powerful. A recent survey showed that a majority of the people who attend a tour later go on to add sustainable energy technologies to their own homes or buildings. Using solar energy can have a profound and positive effect reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the environment. GHGs have risen substantially over the past fifty years and are currently unprecedented in 650,000 years. The primary source of these recent emissions increases is human activity from fossil fuel combustion; electric power generation and transportation together accounted for approximately 85 percent of the U.S. GHG emissions in 2005. The U.S. emits approximately 20 percent of the total worldwide amounts of greenhouse gases. (Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency 2008 Report on the Environment, May 2008). U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have grown by 19.4 percent since 1990, and U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels rose by 1.6 percent in 2007. Electric power sector emissions in the U.S. as a whole are the largest single source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, representing 40 percent of total emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions from the residential and commercial sectors increased by 4.4 percent and 4.3 percent respectively in 2007. Total power sector emissions were up by 3.0 percent while power generation increased by 2.5 percent. Increased electricity generation from wind and nuclear power of 6 and 19 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), respectively, did not offset a drop in hydro-generation of 40 billion kWh. (Source: Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, press announcement, May 20, 2008).
According to recent U.S. EPA figures, residential and commercial buildings accounted for nearly 40 percent of U.S. GHG emissions in 2006. Together, that's the largest sector and more GHGs than is generated by energy demand from either transportation or manufacturing. (Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, April 15, 2008). "One reason I added solar panels to my residence was for energy independence. It's also important to find ways to reduce the burning of fossil fuels to generate our electric power; it's the dirtiest and most used method of energy production in our country. Making the transition to solar technology is important to cutting our carbon footprint," says Chris Born of North Minneapolis. Born has a 4.1 kW solar photovoltaic system on his garage, and last year he added 1.8 kW of solar PV panels to his array to give him a 5.9 kW PV system. He uses solar electric power in the cabinet shop in his home, and he will also use it to charge the batteries of an electric-powered Chevy S-10 pickup he's converting. "I have done a lot to cut my energy usage too, so any PV-generated electricity I don't use to power my house, shop, or electric truck, I sell back to the power company." Minnesota has a "net-metering" law that requires electric utilities to buy excess power from homeowners at retail rates. Under Minnesota's net metering law, excess electricity generated by renewable energy systems of less than 40 kW may be sold back to the utility at retail rates. Federal and state government programs offer financial incentives to people interested in installing solar technology. A 30% federal tax credit is available to individuals (up to $2,000) and businesses (no maximum) for qualifying solar energy improvements to their buildings done in 2008. The IRS allows a 10 percent personal tax credit (up to $500) when building owners purchase new energy efficient appliances and other energy efficient systems, including qualified solar-powered water heaters. The Minnesota Solar-Electric (PV) Rebate Program is funded at $500,000 for fiscal year 2009 (beginning on July 1, 2008). It allows a rebate at $2 per DC watt installed or $2.25 per DC watt for installations made by an NABCEP certified installer, up to a maximum rebate of $20,000 per system or up to $22,500 maximum (for NABCEP certified installer) on systems of up to 10 kW installed after July 1, 2008.
"The state has additional money for solar electricity rebates this year and announced a new residential solar hot water program this summer as well," Stacy Miller of the Minnesota Office of Energy Security notes. In total, there is $700,000 available for solar energy rebates from the State of Minnesota this year. Additionally, some utilities have matching incentives. Furthermore, Minnesota exempts renewable energy systems from sales tax, and property improvements related to solar photovoltaic or wind power are exempt from commercial and residential property tax increases. More information on Minnesota Office of Energy Security programs is available at www.energy.mn.gov. Additional information on state, federal, and utility incentives is available at www.dsireusa.org. Rural small businesses and agricultural producers may qualify for federal funding to cover a portion of a renewable energy installation or energy efficiency improvement. The U.S. Department of Agriculture covers these projects under Section 9006 of the Farm Bill (Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant and Loan Program). More information on the program is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill. David Boyce, Chair of MRES' Board of Directors, states, "While we may see some improvements in government incentives for solar following the election, regardless of what the government does or doesn't do, people see the need for a change in America's energy structure and how it affects the environment. Many people understand what's happening and want to take steps to be part of this change; people know, for example, that natural gas is going to get expensive, and they know how using fossil fuel affects our environment. Solar technologies are becoming more affordable than ever. Last year, we had 54 sites in our Minnesota tour with over 1,800 visitors. We invite everyone — whether you are just beginning to consider solar technology or have already been giving it serious consideration — to come out to the Minnesota Solar Tour on the first Saturday of October. See the installations personally, talk to the building owners, and learn how solar energy can be accessible for the average home or business owner." About the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) is a member-run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in Minneapolis in 1978 to promote the use of and advocacy for renewable energies in Minnesota through education and demonstration of practical applications. MRES is involved with education, awareness, and advocacy efforts for all forms of renewable energy technologies, with a particular emphasis on solar energy technologies. For more information about MRES and the Minnesota Solar Tour, go to www.mnRenewables.org. About the American Solar Energy Society The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's largest and oldest nonprofit dedicated to advancing the use of solar and renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies and practices that support a sustainable energy economy. ASES develops leading programs that increase the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency across the nation: www.ases.org. The National Solar Tour will run in 48 states this year. A complete list of scheduled events may be found at www.NationalSolarTour.org. Contact Doug Shoemaker Phone: (612) 308-4757 E-mail: DougS@mnRenewables.org
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Note to Editors: Many sites are willing to open their buildings to media for an advance look, prior to the Minnesota Solar Tour. For photos or advance site visit arrangements, please contact Doug Shoemaker at (612) 308-4757.
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Friday, September 12, 2008
