Solar Energy Blog Posts
Joel Haskard
Mon, 02/13/2012 - 3:59pm
Do you have a clean energy project in your community that could use the help of a talented University of Minnesota student? The Community Assistantship Program provides student research assistance to cities and organizations anywhere in greater Minnesota.
The Community Assistantship Program is pleased to announce a summer 2012 grant program. The grant will allow rural communities to hire a student to work on a project defined by those communities. The deadline for project proposals is March 15th, 2012. Approved projects will run from May 28th to August 26th, 2012.
Winning communities will review job applications and select the student who best meets their needs. Eligible organizations include community groups, organizations, and local governments outside the seven county metro.
Click here for more details and how to apply >>
What...
Dan Thiede
Thu, 02/09/2012 - 11:51am
An innovative education program centered on renewable energy and conservation is helping students in Northeastern Minnesota re-imagine our energy future—creating a model that can be used across the state.
Established as a pilot program in 2008, Energy Explosion dispels the myth that science education is boring, through a variety of activities specifically designed to get students involved and excited about the material. Some of these activities include student volunteers playing musical instruments such as an electric guitar with an amp and an electric keyboard powered by a photovoltaic (PV) solar array, a biodiesel generator, a small 400 Watt wind turbine, and an energy bike powered by one of their peers.
Energy Explosion classes take place both at the Nature Center and in the schools, by making use of a mobile energy education trailer named Electron.
“The mobility piece was a...
Jeff Vetsch
Wed, 02/08/2012 - 10:30am
It all began with a pellet stove. Or more accurately it all began with a pellet stove and some conservation measures. In 2011 Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) reached their goal of having a campus that is powered by 100% renewable energy. Along the way they have been seeking ways to conserve energy while keeping an eye out for opportunities to incorporate renewable energy into their campus and curriculum. So I guess we could really say that it all began by paying attention.
Back in 2003 when Dave Pederson moved into the role of Executive Director at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) he saw some opportunities to change the way the campus used electricity and heated their buildings. At that time, the propane truck was coming out to fill the tank once a week during the winter and nobody had yet gotten a handle...
Abby Finis
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 1:04pm
People with the lowest incomes devote a much larger proportion of their income to their energy bills, leaving even fewer resources for them to invest in technologies that can help them reduce their energy consumption.
Renewable energy grants like the Renewable Energy Equipment Grant given to a residence at Fond du Lac Reservation are a way to provide clean sources of heat and energy to those otherwise unable to afford it. One such example is the Stover Family, who had two solar-air heat panels installed on the side of their home and cut the amount of propane they use to heat their home in winter by over 50%.
Click here to download the case study >>
This case study was created by the Minnesota Division of Energy Resources, Department of Commerce. ...
Nancy Kelly
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 8:59am
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Twin Cities Chapter is pleased to offer for the first time two $1,000 scholarships to students planning to pursue of a career in Energy Engineering or Energy Management.
The AEE Foundation Scholarship program was established to encourage qualified practitioners in energy engineering and energy management to further education in these fields by awarding scholarships. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $600,000 in funds nationally for use by 1,115 outstanding students.
Scholarships are available to candidates obtaining their undergraduate or graduate degrees who are enrolled in an accredited college or university focusing on energy engineering or energy management.
A personal recommendation from a faculty member of the school that the student is attending that describes the student’s academic standing, character and financial need...
Joel Haskard
Tue, 01/24/2012 - 5:26pm
As we kick off 2012, we are excited to announce the projects awarded CERTs seed grants in each of the seven Minnesota CERTs regions. Each region awarded $10,000 worth of seed grants, catalyzing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state. The funding is provided by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources.
There were 27 seed grants awarded in total, across a broad spectrum of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Many projects also include components of education, outreach and community building, and research. Read on for all of the details! Thanks to everyone who submitted a proposal. To learn more about past funded projects, our CERTs-Supported Projects page.
Download a PDF with all projects >>...
Dan Thiede
Mon, 01/23/2012 - 12:58pm
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.
The REAP program is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and meet the nation’s critical energy needs. For 2012, USDA has approximately $25.4 million in budget authority available to fund REAP activities, which will support at least $12.5 million in grants and approximately $48.5 million in guaranteed loans.
USDA is accepting the following applications:
Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and...
Dan Thiede
Tue, 01/17/2012 - 6:29pm
On January 11, 2012 CERTs was joined by over 150 Minnesotans to tour Silicon Energy’s new solar PV manufacturing facility in Mt. Iron.
Several educational speakers filled us in on the rising importance and presence of solar energy on the Iron Range and across the state, followed by a presentation and tour from president Gary Shaver and lots of networking time.
Here’s what the agenda looked like:
Welcome & Introductions – Joel Haskard & Bill Mittlefehldt, CERTs
Commissioner’s Remarks – Commissioner Tony Sertich, IRRRB
Local Utility Incentives for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy – Tina Koecher, Minnesota Power; Tanuj Gulati & Tyler Barrell, Energy Management Solutions/Mt. Iron Municipal Utility; Leo Wilenius, Lake Country Power
Senator’s Remarks – Senator David J. Tomassoni, Minnesota Senate
Mayor’s...
Joel Haskard
Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:00am
States and communities are increasingly investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy to achieve their air quality, economic, and energy goals. In doing so, they have found that the up-front costs of improving energy efficiency and increasing renewable energy generation can be a barrier for many homeowners, building owners, and businesses. One way to address these barriers is by adopting clean energy financing programs that can make efficiency and renewable energy more affordable for these sectors.
EPA’s State and Local Climate and Clean Energy Program is supporting these efforts with the launch of a new online Financing Program Decision Tool and a Financing Program Decision Guide.
Here are the details:
The Financing Program Decision Tool is designed for state and local staff in the early...
Joel Haskard
Fri, 01/13/2012 - 4:59pm
Over forty people from around southeast Minnesota visited Norm and Mary Erickson’s solar-powered greenhouse and hazelnut farm recently in Lake City as part of a Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) free tour focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Norm and Mary Erickson of Hazelnut Valley Farm retired and started a hazelnut farm in Lake City, MN. Their nutty adventures into the business of growing, harvesting, and processing the crop led them to install a solar-heated greenhouse with many innovative features. They look forward to a future where hazelnuts can be profitably converted into biodiesel.
“We now have over 4,200 bushes in the ground and nut production keeps on growing—from 10 pounds in 2006 to over a ton in 2011,” said Mr. Erickson. He passed around hazelnuts and hazel nut oil for people to sample. “Our market focus has shifted from biodiesel to the edible local...
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