Greetings!
Welcome to the second edition of the Energy Innovation Corridor e-Newsletter. Thank you for your continued interest in how we are partnering to develop a cleaner energy and transportation future for Minnesota. Questions or comments? E-mail info@energyinnovationcorridor.com. |
|
Solar Rebates and Grants - Office of Energy Security | |
Minnesota Solar Electric Rebates
State stimulus rebate funds for solar electric systems are now fully reserved.
Minnesota Solar Hot Water & Air Heat Rebate Programs
Rebate funds for solar hot water and air heat systems are still available and applications will continue to be accepted for residential and small businesses until funds are expended. Application materials are available in the Rebates & Credits section of the OES website.
Second Round of Solar Grants Available to Local Governments from Department of Natural Resources
The Solar Energy Legacy program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, provides grants to local governments for solar projects in parks and on trails of regional or statewide significance. The grants provide up to 75 percent of the cost of a qualifying photovoltaic (PV), solar water heating, or solar space heating project, with a maximum grant of $150,000. The deadline for grant applications is May 28, 2010. |
|
Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards | 
To encourage the growth of solar energy in Minnesota, Xcel Energy's new Solar*Rewards program will make a one-time payment of $2.25 per installed watt of generating capacity to customers who install small or medium rooftop photovoltaic systems on their homes or businesses. For an average size residential installation of 3.5 kilowatts the incentive payment would be $7,875, or about 30 percent of the installation costs.
"Our Solar*Rewards program will benefit both our customers and the environment," said Laura McCarten, Xcel Energy regional vice president. "One 3.5 kilowatt photovoltaic system produces enough renewable energy to offset the carbon dioxide emissions produced from driving a car more than 6,000 miles. Also, when we buy your excess energy, we're adding renewable energy to our grid and, therefore, reducing emissions."
This program applies to photovoltaic generating systems only. Click for more program details. |
|
Solar in the Cities Initiative |
 Minneapolis and Saint Paul are pleased to be recognized as Solar America Cities. Through the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Cities partnership, 26 major U.S. cities are working to accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies for a cleaner, more secure energy future. The Minneapolis Saint Paul Solar in the Cities Initiative has an aggressive goal of increasing solar capacity 500% in the Twin Cities during the two years covered by the grant period. The Solar America Cities grant allows Minneapolis and Saint Paul to dedicate city resources to identify strategies that will result in solar friendly policies, practices, and regulations. Solar in the Cities Initiative includes partnerships with: Minnesota Department of Commerce, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Xcel Energy, Neighborhood Energy Connection, Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, League of Minnesota Cities, Green Institute, Fresh Energy, freEner-g , Center for Energy and Environment and District Energy. Here are just a few accomplishments: · Secured $1 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Solar Market Transformation Grant
· Coordinated multi-stakeholder working group that resulted in passage of strong solar legislation in 2009.
· Installed two solar charging systems for plug-in hybrid cars that is part of HourCar, a local non-profit's car sharing program, in order to showcase emerging opportunities. |
|
Solar-thermal project in Downtown Saint Paul | 
Downtown Saint Paul will become a demonstration for how diversified energy sources can power large-scale buildings, complexes and district systems, thanks to money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
District Energy St. Paul will install solar thermal or hybrid solar thermal/photovoltaic systems using the $1 million grant administered through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its own matching funds. Together with the two cities through the Minneapolis Saint Paul Solar Cities partnership, District Energy will study both how solar energy can be integrated into existing district energy systems and the value such diversified energy generation brings as a business model and as a stand-alone solar district system. With its sights set on the rooftop of the Saint Paul RiverCentre and an estimated project price tag of more than $2 million, this DOE selection was integral to project success.
The project with District Energy is one of 40 special projects that were selected nationwide to help speed adoption of solar energy while supporting development of a skilled workforce and continuing to pursue new scientific breakthroughs to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of solar technologies. Learn more. |
|
Saint Paul Port Authority Launches Trillion Btu Program | 
The Saint Paul Port Authority (SPPA) officially launched its innovative Trillion Btu program in March - it's one of the first in the nation to use energy conservation as an economic development tool. The programwill save Minnesota businesses money by reducing energy consumption by up to one trillion Btus a year.
The SPPA will use a $5 million federal stimulus grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, to create a revolving loan fund that will help finance energy efficiency improvements in commercial and industrial businesses. Xcel Energy and local Economic Development Agencies (EDAs) also fund the program. Other partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, Minnesota Legislature and the Center for Energy and Environment.
How the program works:
· Businesses voluntarily agree to energy audits paid for entirely by Xcel Energy. Engineering studies would follow to provide a blueprint to specific improvements that would reduce a company's energy usage. Businesses in this program would pay about one quarter of the cost of these studies.
· SPPA, Xcel Energy and local EDAs then would finance 100 percent of the capital improvements. The monthly loan repayment by businesses would be structured to be less than the expected energy savings. This structure will provide the business with an immediate positive cash flow from the project without the use of any of its own capital. For more information contact Pete Klein at 651-204-6211, pmk@sppa.com or visit SPPA's Web site. |
|
Energy Smart helps businesses save money | |
Energy Smart helps Minnesota businesses save money through energy efficiency. It provides customized assistance and site visits to identify energy-saving opportunities and potential funding opportunities, including utility rebates and grants.
Run by Minnesota Waste Wise, a non-profit affiliate of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Energy Smart assists Minnesota businesses at no charge.
Contact Energy Smart to get started. |
|
Thanks for your continued interest and support of the Energy Innovation Corridor - Minnesota's showcase area - making energy-efficiency, renewable energy, smart technologies and transportation a reality.
Sincerely,
The Energy Innovation Corridor Communications Team | |
|
| About
Energy Innovation Corridor | |
Located within one of the most unique urban communities in the country, the Energy Innovation Corridor was formed to create a sustainable energy and transportation showcase. The first-of-its-kind, this clean energy and transportation model extends along the 11-mile Central Corridor light rail transit project route, from downtown Saint Paul to Target Field in downtown Minneapolis, along Washington and University avenues, via the Minnesota State Capitol and entire University of Minnesota-Minneapolis campus.
Visit our WEB SITE. | |
|
|
| In the Spoltlight |  |
Gayle Prest, Director of Sustainability for the City of Minneapolis, presented to the National Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) about the EIC.
Prest leads Minneapolis' priority of creating a more sustainable community, which improves quality of life.
Industry, Academia, NGOs and Government Entities are increasingly realizing the importance and value in partnering with one another to address a broad spectrum of issues related to climate change. These partnerships, whether focused on developing clean energy or energy efficiency measures, addressing water consumption, reducing green house gas emissions, or adaptation to climate change impacts, can achieve significant results and improve the organization's bottom line results.
In March, ACCO and Bureau of Nathional Affairs held a discussion on partnerships between organizations across sectors featuring insights from an expert panel that included Prest, as well as a former California Secretary of Environmental Protection, Waste Management and the Home Depot Foundation.
The panelists discussed:
- Key drivers behind partnerships;
- Best practices in designing programs (along with implementation and establishing benchmarking);
- Specific examples/case studies of partnerships; and
- Opportunities for future collaborations.
Download slides from the presentation. |
Check out the Energy
Efficiency Workshops |  | |
Attend a FREE Energy Efficiency Workshop.
Find one near you! |
| Interested in the CCLRT project? |  | |
Sign up with the Metropolitan Council for updates about the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project construction. |
Stay connected to the Energy Innovation Corridor! | |
|
|
