Solar Opportunities in West Central Minnesota

Media Contact:
Jeff Vetsch, WC/SW CERT Coordinator
320-212-4405, jeff@cleanenergyresourceteams.org

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DASSEL, MN – Could solar power boost your livelihood? Join West Central Clean Energy Resource Teams (WC CERT) and Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) for a free Solar Energy Forum June 21st 2:30 – 5:30 pm in Dassel to find out! We will learn about solar energy and the opportunities it can offer local farms, businesses, municipalities, and communities.

What kind of solar technologies are available? What are the opportunities and financial incentives? Speakers will address these matters, in addition to answering questions from meeting attendees. This meeting is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP: Reserve your space now! Register for this free event and see the full agenda online: http://wcsolar.eventbrite.com/

AGENDA:

• 2:30 – Welcome and Introductions
  • Jeff Vetsch, CERTs

Presentations and Q&A:

• 2:40 – Solar Energy – Technology Overview
  • Eric Buchanan, Renewable Scientist, University of Minnesota, WCROC

• 3:30 – Solar Opportunities – Straight Talk from the Experts
  Business Panel:
  • Randy Hagen – President, Solar Skies
  • Tim Lipetzky – Founder, Green Energy Products LLC
  • Jim Loseleben – VP Sales & Marketing, tenKsolar
  • Tim Zinniel – Zinniel Electric

• 4:30 – Show Me the Money – Opportunities to Finance Projects
  • Kellye Rose –Rose Consulting Service, Inc.

• 5:20 – Closing Comments
  • Kurt Thompson, Southwest Initiative Foundation

THE BASICS:

• Who: Farmers, business leaders, local government, community members, and community leaders from west central Minnesota
• What: Free, informational meeting on solar energy and the opportunities it offers
• When: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
• Where: Dassel Community Room, Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum, 901 1st St N, Dassel, MN
• How: Register for this free event online at http://wcsolar.eventbrite.com/
• Why: To learn about solar opportunities for you, your farm, business, municipality, or community

ABOUT CERTs: The Clean Energy Resource Teams connect Minnesotans and their communities with resources to identify and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The Clean Energy Resource Teams are diverse—individuals; small business owners; farmers; members of community groups; local utility representatives; educators; local, state and federal government staff and elected leaders—and all share a common interest: They want strong communities, local jobs, and secure, clean, reliable energy.

CERTs is a partnership of the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, Eureka Recycling, Southwest Regional Development Commission, The Minnesota Project, and the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources. Learn more at www.mncerts.org.

ABOUT SWIF: The Southwest Initiative Foundation is a regional community foundation dedicated to advancing southwest Minnesota through leadership, relationship-building, program development and philanthropy. The Foundation has contributed more than $46 million through its grant and loan programs in southwest Minnesota. It has also helped more than 450 businesses start or expand through its business finance programs, which has created or retained more than 7,400 jobs. To learn more, visit www.swifoundation.org.