Thank you to the Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Dayton for passing the bill that will add 450 MW of clean energy to Minnesota’s grid by 2020! This 1.5% Solar Standard is a huge leap forward for the solar industry and the environment in Minnesota! The goal is to generate 10% of the state’s energy from solar by 2030, and this is a great step in that direction.

For the details on the bill visit: http://allenergysolar.com/mn-solar-standard-1-5

Thank you again to everyone involved in helping this bill pass. To the legislature, to the governor, to everyone who reached out in any way and showed our representatives that there is demand for solar in Minnesota… Thank You!!

With the recent attention Frac Sand Mining has received in Red Wing, citizens have taken an increased interest in their town’s valuable energy resources.

Specifically, citizens are keenly aware of the multitude of options available to them today that have all the benefits of mining without the environmental price tag, specifically solar.

Earlier this year the Red Wing Fire Hall had a 90 panel, 17kW solar array installed on the roof of their building by All Energy Solar.  Plans have also been approved to install 40kW arrays for the Red Wing Incinerator and Public Works building.

Additionally, a joint installation between the Community Development and City Hall buildings is in the works that will also serve as a carport.  All Energy Solar has completed installations on residential properties in the area as well, such as the solar array at the residence of Matt and Joan Majovski.

The panels used in these installations are produced in state by Silicon Energy’s Mountain Iron manufacturing plant – keeping not only the materials, but also the jobs in state.  Plus the installer, All Energy Solar, is a family owned and operated Minnesota business.

Locally sourced solar arrays are only one factor that makes the Red Wing solar installation a great project. For Earth Day, on April 20th, All Energy Solar will be hosting a solar tour and presentation highlighting the many benefits of producing city power with solar. You will even be able to see instant production numbers of the system. All Energy Solar will also unveil high quality graphics of their plans for the carport installation between City Hall and the Community Works building.

We hope to see you there from 10 – 2 on Saturday April 20th at the Red Wing Fire Hall/City Hall. The address is 420 Plum Street. Red Wing, MN 55066.

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There’s not much that beats a good glass of wine – except for a good glass of wine for a good cause. This is exactly what we at All Energy Solar are partnering with Have A Heart to bring you. We are the primary sponsor for Have A Heart inc.’s wine tasting on Saturday April 27th.

Have A Heart’s mission is to provide relief for families with physically and/or developmentally disabled loved ones, with a primary goal of delaying or preventing out-of-home placement. All Energy Solar fully supports this goal, which is why we are the platinum sponsor of an upcoming wine tasting, hosted by Have A Heart, that will raise money to further achieve their mission.

Specifically, the wine tasting will raise funds to meet a 30,000 dollar goal being used to renovate a 1,000 plus square foot building on Have A Heart’s farm headquarters in River Falls, WI. The newly renovated building will be used to expand Have A Heart’s adult day-care program and relieve the mentally disabled of what is currently up to a forty mile bus ride to the next closest program.

Featured at the tasting will be the wonderful wines of Prescott’s own Valley Vineyard and music by The Dreaded Candiru Quintet. Additionally, Have A Heart will be holding a raffle with something for everyone, luxury gift baskets that range from a hunting basket to a manicure/pedicure basket.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 27th from 4:00-7:00pm at The Ridgetop outdoor pavillion in Prescott, WI (W10516 US HWY 10). Tickets for the tasting are 50 dollars, all of which will go directly to Have A Heart. For details on purchasing tickets visit Have A Heart online at haveaheartinc.org, www.facebook.com/haveaheartinc.org, or reach them by phone at 715-425-7754.

The New England Patriots are far from economically insolvent as a team, yet the Massachusetts’ solar industry still made more money installing solar panels than the team in 2012.  In fact, Massachusetts was named the sixth top solar state for 2012 by the Solar Energy Industry Association with 128.9 megawatts installed – enough energy to power 32,000 homes.

As a result of increased MA solar demand, new systems brought online after June 20th of this year will only be able to sell their Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) for 8 years instead of 10.  This means that if you sign up to get solar installed after April 15th of this year you’re losing out on 2 years of SREC production.

For more information on what SRECs are check out this SREC blog.

To help homeowners go solar before the April 15th deadline for 10 years of SRECs, All Energy Solar is now offering a leasing option for solar in which you can go solar for no money upfront. This program yields an immediate reduction in electric bills for customers and continues to save you money on your electric bills over the 20 year life of the system.

Another option we offer is a pre-payment lease.  In this case, Clean Power Finance takes all electrical rebates and you, the customer, pays for the final portion of the system (apx. ⅓ the total cost).  Systems have guaranteed energy production and are required to be removed by the finance company when the 20 year warranty is up. The benefit to prepayment is that you reap 100% of the electricity savings from your solar system.

The savings from the two potentially lost years of SRECs is up to $2,400 dollars depending on market fluctuation.  For those who are grandfathered into the program, their SREC term length will not be subject to change.  So for environmentally conscious citizens who want to make the June 20th system installation deadline and therefore save more money, make sure to sign up with All Energy Solar before April 15th.

Don’t miss out on two years of solar credits. Sign up before the policy change and save money.  Sign up HERE or call 800.620.3370 for your free solar quote.

Once you sign up for a quote a sales representative will contact you to schedule an in home appointment to determine the optimal system size and help you decide which purchase or finance option is the best for you.

Improving Home Improvement

Carolyn Faacks, owner of Nokomis True Value Hardware, is certainly no stranger to home improvements.  In late 2012 Faacks made a huge step toward achieving the company’s vision of being one of the most sustainable local business possible by installing a 75 panel solar array.

Not only does the array generate up to 17,000 kWh of electricity per year, but it does so using solar panels that were manufactured right here in Minnesota. As a community business, Nokomis True Value Hardware is dedicated to keeping everything as local as possible. Choosing the Silicon Energy modules designed in Mountain Iron Minnesota was a no brainer. Not only are they rated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as having the one of the longest product life expectations available on the market, but they also help create local jobs and local revenue.

Faacks has always been interested in solar energy and was just waiting for the right opportunity to make the leap. All Energy Solar presented the right opportunity for Nokomis True Value Hardware with a lease to own option for commercial customers. The payback was immediate so the project made financial sense from day one.

The environmental benefits are not to be ignored either as they were one of the initial reasons Faacks pursued solar.  The energy Nokomis True Value Hardware produces has the same impact as saving three acres of trees or removing 23,400 lbs. of CO2 from the atmosphere annually.

With these huge benefits there is plenty of reason for celebration, so that’s just what Faacks is doing. Nokomis True Value Hardware is hosting a Solar Sunday on March 10th from 1-3pm. The event is open to the public and tours of the solar system will be available.  Carolyn Faacks and the team from All Energy Solar will be available to answer all of the questions from community members. More information can be found online at allenergysolar.com/nokomis

About All Energy Solar:

All Energy Solar is a local, family owned company that not only provides quality solar installations, but community outreach and education, helping to teach their neighbors about the importance of and immediate need for energy alternatives.

All Energy Solar is Minneapolis’ solar installer for residential and commercial PV systems. We are located in Uptown Minneapolis on 26th St. between Lyndale and Aldrich and we employ local Minneapolis residents. If you’re looking for someone local for your solar installation with national experience and exceptional customer service then you’ve come to the right place.

Solar for your Home

We design and install home solar systems customized to meet your needs. Going solar with us is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Assess your solar energy potential:

One of our solar consultants will do an initial evaluation of your home over the phone using satellite technology and the information from your most recent electric bill. We’ll schedule a free evaluation which includes a thorough analysis of your energy usage and a sun exposure study.

2. Discover the benefits:

We’ll provide a detailed financial and environmental analysis customized to meet your needs and help you gain independence with clean free energy.

3. Plug into the power of solar:

Your solar customer care team and consultant will keep you informed every step of the way. After your system is installed we will continue to monitor it 24/7 to guarantee optimal power and maximize your savings.

Solar for your Business

The process is very similar for powering your business with solar, but we understand that your needs are different. We will make sure we provide the solution that will benefit your bottom line. There are multiple options for converting your business to one of the most environmentally friendly and profitable companies in Minneapolis. We will help you decide if a lease to own option or a straight purchase will be the right option for you.

Call us today to find out how you can make the switch to clean energy while saving money. 800.620.3370

You can also fill out the Free Solar Quote form to have us contact you to set up an appointment. Click Here.

Since 2010 Minnesota solar installations have seen a significant rise in interest thanks to generous rebates offered by XCEL Energy and the falling price of solar modules globally.

2011 saw all 4.6 million dollars of XCEL rebate funds allocated by August.  In 2012 remaining funds from the 2010 XCEL rebate cycle were included for a total of over 8 million dollars in rebate funding that was fully allocated by April.

Yet that still wasn’t enough!  After all 8 million dollars of 2012’s funds were used up the applications continued to roll in and get first priority for 2013 funds. Once the 2012 SolarRewards application closed, 73 percent of the 4.6 million dollars for 2013 were already accounted for.

Utility rebates represent a crucial element for solar energy as it continues to establish itself as the energy source of the future. With the federal tax credit, local utility rebates, and other incentives, 60 – 70 percent of the total cost of a system can be covered, making solar a very affordable option that will save customers tens of thousands over the life of the system.

Just like in 2012, applications for rebates through XCEL will stay open for an undisclosed period of time, allowing applications to reserve 2014 funds. We are fairly certain that all of the 2013 SolarRewards funding will be allocated very quickly after this coming Monday, meaning that it is very likely that most of next year’s funding will be reserved within the next month or two.

No matter where you are in exploring solar for your home or business, let All Energy Solar guide you through the process so you don’t miss out on being able to go solar. As of right now, you can still get a system installed with rebate funding this year or next, but that won’t last long. Give us a call today at 800-620-3370 or fill out the Free Solar Quote form.

UPDATE – MN State Senate and House Pass a 1.5% Solar Standard:

This is great news for all Minnesotans! The Minnesota Senate and house dropped the percentage of Minnesota energy that must come from solar, but they moved up the timeline to 2020. This means that over the next 6 and a half years Minnesota will have 450 MW of solar installed.

450 MW is enough solar to power over 110,000 homes! The great news for homeowners is that 50MW actually has to come from smaller residential installations.

Minnesota Made solar panels will continue to receive additional funding at $15 Million each year.

This legislation also opens up opportunities for community solar gardens, larger offsite installations that members of a community own partial shares of.

Look for further blog posts about more of the specifics of the legislation soon.

10 Percent Minnesota Solar Legislation

Environment Minnesota, a statewide, citizen-based, environmental advocacy organization, in partnership with the Solar Works for Minnesota coalition, is pushing for legislation which would require that Minnesota generate 10 percent of its electricity from solar by 2030.

The mandate would create an expected 2,000 new jobs in just the first year and cost only up to one dollar more per month in bills for individuals.  When compared with the nine dollar a month per customer increase that Xcel is currently seeking to upgrade its nuclear plants the choice is clear.

Environmentally conscious, clean, job creating solar energy is vastly preferable to dangerous, waste-creating nuclear energy, especially at 9 times the cost.  And Minnesotans agree – according to a January poll by the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, 73 percent of voters said they would be willing to pay that extra dollar a month to help protect our environment.

Currently, Xcel is required to generate 24 percent of its electricity from wind power by 2020 thanks to mandates.  Left to their own devices, utility companies like Xcel will not invest in our environment, they have built their businesses around the dirty fossil fuels of the past and are scared to change.  Mandates are necessary to spur innovation and usher in the future.

However, Otter Tail Power spokeswoman Cris Oehler says “Markets, not mandates, should drive energy development.”  What she forgets is that a healthy environment is not something anyone can put a price tag on and is something that society and those precious markets cannot function without.

Solar is a perfect opportunity to boost job growth, our economy, and protect our environment.  Especially since it’s an asset we already have in place thanks to Minnesota solar manufacturers like Silicon Energy, tenKsolar, and multitudes of small businesses like us, All Energy Solar.

Tell Governor Dayton that you support the 10% by 2030 Solar Mandate here: https://secure3.convio.net/engage/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1325