Minnesota needs clean energy, and it needs jobs; it can have both
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Dustin Denison is president and co-owner of Applied Energy Innovations in Minneapolis.
Minnesota's days are getting shorter, the sun is becoming increasingly elusive, and we have rolled back our clocks to soak up every hour of the sun's rays. It might seem an odd time to talk about solar energy, but the time is perfect, for many reasons.
With Minnesotans using more energy than ever, we must think about where all that energy comes from. As an installer of a variety of energy systems, I know that Minnesota could harness solar power and use it to create jobs and strengthen our economy while serving Minnesota's energy demand. Just at my own company, I've been able to hire 15 people over the past year and a half.
Minnesota's solar potential compares to that of Florida and exceeds that of Germany — the world's solar leader. Solar PV actually works better and more efficiently on our numerous cold, sunny winter days. An ability to harvest this free energy at times of peak energy usage, when it is most expensive, would be invaluable to Minnesotans. Our state spends more than $20 billion annually on imported energy. While we continue to spend a pile of money on dirty, imported sources of energy, we are letting our solar resource go untapped.
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Developing our solar industry would create numerous jobs and bring new businesses to our state. These are jobs that Minnesotans want and need. In 2010, the solar energy industry grew 67 percent — despite the downturn in the overall economy.
Lawmakers have been discussing legislation for the 2012 session that would encourage solar installations on public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, and government facilities. Capacity estimates project 750 megawatts of solar energy potential on public schools in Minnesota alone. That's the equivalent of a medium-size power plant.
Installing solar on public buildings would cut energy costs and put boots on the roof immediately. Companies like mine and the manufacturers that make our solar panels are ready and willing. We could create thousands of jobs in a short amount of time.
Increasing solar energy in Minnesota now would make the most of the opportunity. A high local demand for energy, partnered with state legislation to increase solar on public buildings, would draw emerging solar businesses to our state and help keeping existing Minnesotan businesses working. If Minnesota does not support this legislation, these jobs could be lost to states that already support a growing clean energy industry. Illinois, New Jersey and Arizona are helping solar power compete in the energy marketplace, alongside other forms of subsidized energy, by implementing solar policies to advance generation and solar manufacturing.
Championing and supporting legislation that will advance solar on public buildings will make it easier for current and future solar companies to thrive in our state, which is good for everyone in Minnesota. Solar power can help solve our energy problems, and our jobs problem as well. This session, I hope Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature will work together and support legislation to advance solar on public schools and put us on the right track.
