This document summarizes a presentation about the promise of solar energy in Minnesota. It finds that while Minnesota currently has a small solar market, costs are high. However, opportunities exist to significantly reduce costs as solar markets grow elsewhere. It argues policy support is needed at both the state and local level, including a renewable energy standard, feed-in tariff program, and improved local permitting processes, to help grow Minnesota's solar market and realize the cost reductions and benefits of solar energy.

1. Solar in Minnesota:Great PromiseJohn FarrellInstitute for Local Self-ReliancePresentation to Solar MinnesotaMinneapolis| April 25, 2011

2. @ the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Who We AreCommunity Banking InitiativeEnergy Self-Reliant States

3. OverviewState of Solar in MinnesotaOpportunities for Cost ReductionsThe Value of SolarPolicy Matters

4. A Small but Growing MarketInstalled Capacity: 4 MWInstalled in 2010: 1.8 MW – 45%Photo credit: CERTs

5. Minnesota Solar = Expensive?From page 19 of the brilliant report,Tracking the Sun III: The Installed Cost of Photovoltaics in the U.S. from 1998-2009 (large pdf).

6. Cost of Solar != Market SizeSolar PV Costs - Does State Market Size Matter? | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/4ypjblp

7. Opportunities for Cost Reductions40% PRICE DROP!4 yearsGerman solar market 2006 -> 2010 grew from 2.7 GW -> 16 GW

8. Opportunities for Cost Reductions$4.11 per Watt!German solar market 2006 -> 2010 grew from 2.7 GW -> 16 GW

9. Opportunities for Cost Reductions$ per Watt$5.09$4.67$5.65$5.50$5.20$5.50$5.39$5.70$4.78$4.80Installed Cost for Residential Solar PV Group Purchase

10. Opportunities for Cost Reductions60% drop in PV cost5 yearsSolar PV Balance of System | Rocky Mountain Institute - http://tinyurl.com/3dazuo8

11. The Value of Distributed SolarDistributed Solar Power Worth Far More Than Electrons | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/3tqmerh

12. The Value of Distributed SolarDistributed Solar Power Worth Far More Than Electrons | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/3tqmerh

13. The Value of SolarDistributed Solar Power Worth Far More Than Electrons | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/3tqmerh

14. The Value of SolarSolving Solar's Variability with More Solar | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/65b5nyh

15. RPS Policies with Solar/DG Provisionswww.dsireusa.org/ April 2011WA: double credit for DGNH: 0.3% solar- electric x 2014OR: 20 MW solar PV x 2020;double credit for PVMI: triple credit for solar- electric MA: 400 MW PV x 2020 NY: 0.4788% customer- sited x 2015 OH: 0.5% solar-electric x 2025 NJ: 5,316 GWh solar- electric x 2026 NV: 1.5% solar x 2025;2.4 - 2.45 multiplier for PVCO: 3.0% DG x 20201.5% customer-sited x 2020 IL: 1.5% PVx 2025PA: 0.5% PV x 2021WV: various multipliers UT: 2.4 multiplierfor solar-electric DE: 3.5% PV x 2026; triple credit for PVDCMO: 0.3% solar-electric x 2021 NC: 0.2% solarx 2018AZ: 4.5% DG x 2025 MD: 2% PV x 2022DC: 0.4% solar x 2020NM: 4% solar-electric x 2020 0.6% DG x 2020TX: double credit for non-wind(non-wind goal: 500 MW)16 states + DC have an RPS with solar/DG provisionsRenewable portfolio standard with solar / distributed generation (DG) provisionRenewable portfolio goal with solar / distributed generation provisionSolar water heating counts toward solar provisionPolicy Matters: State Laws

16. Policy Matters: State Laws

17. Policy Matters: Local RulesPoor Solar Permitting Rules Increase Residential Solar Prices by Up To 20 Percent | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/5ts5b2k

18. Policy Matters: Local RulesPoor Solar Permitting Rules Increase Residential Solar Prices by Up To 20 Percent | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/5ts5b2k

19. Policy Matters: Local RulesAssessment of Mpls-St. Paul permitting:Permit pricing is about 2x higher than ideal… ~$500 in Minneapolis and ~$800 in St Paul…Minneapolis has a terrific submittal guidelines …St. Paul does not. [Minneapolis] clearly states their expectations: I.E what you need to submit to succeed and obtain a permit.

20. Policy MattersOntario's Buy Local Renewable Energy Policy: An Update | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/3o4th8d

21. Policy MattersSolar Could Save Minnesota Schools Millions | Energy Self-Reliant States - http://tinyurl.com/5sv8ond

22. SummaryMinnesota’s small market has high costsPromising cost reduction potentialPolicy neededState standardCLEAN Contract (feed-in tariff)Local permittingSolar is Contagious | Energy Self-Reliant States- http://tinyurl.com/444c2og

23. Solar is Contagious1%Solar is Contagious | Energy Self-Reliant States- http://tinyurl.com/444c2og

24. Thank you!John Farrellenergyselfreliantstates.orgjfarrell@ilsr.orghttp://twitter.com/johnffarrell