Solar Works for Minnesota
Too much of our energy comes from dirty sources that harm our environment, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We have great solar potential right here in Minnesota.
Solar works for Minnesota
Minnesota imports more than $20 billion dollars of dirty energy each year — a deficit far greater than our state budget. These energy dollars leave our state and stimulate the economies of other states and nations. Meanwhile, Minnesota has more than 50 businesses working in the solar energy industry and selling most of their products and services to buyers outside of Minnesota.
It starts with a statewide coalition
Too much of our energy comes from coal, oil and other dirty sources that wreak havoc on our environment, Environment Minnesota is part of a statewide coalition working to change that. Solar works for Minnesota has signed on more than 125 non-profits, businesses and unions working collaboratively to establish a 10% solar energy standard for our state.
Minnesota has a vast, untapped solar energy potential that, if developed, will lead to greater energy independence and security, the creation of high-quality solar industry jobs, and help spur economic development across the state. A solar energy standard will help us achieve these goals by establishing the right climate for investment in Minnesota’s solar energy future.
Minnesota’s solar resource rivals Florida’s
Minnesota has significantly greater solar potential than Germany — the world’s leader in solar electricity — and potential comparable to Florida, but our vast solar resource is largely untapped.
Increasing the solar energy output in Minnesota will have a positive impact on our local economy—both creating jobs and decreasing taxpayer expenses. It will also provide a clean, affordable source of energy for Minnesotans, while reducing the amount of pollution in our air and water.
As part of Solar Works for Minnesota, we are working to pass policies that make it easier to install solar energy across Minnesota—on residential, commercial and public buildings. Breaking down barriers is a big first step toward energy independence and our goal of 10% solar by 2030.
Join our campaign, tell Gov. Dayton you support solar energy.
Putting The Sun to Work for Minnesota Short Film Contest
The votes are counted, and the results are in. We depended on filmmakers' creativity to make unique shorts that captured the public's attention and showed off Minnesota’s great solar potential — and we were impressed. Thanks to all the contestants for their hard work and commitment to the solar cause.
Watch the prize winners and other entries now!
Urge Gov. Dayton to support having 10 percent of our energy come from solar by 2030.
Key facts
- Minnesota spends at least $20 billion per year buying energy from other states and countries — keeping those energy dollars in the state will have a significant positive impact on our economy.
- Producing 10% solar energy will generate enough power for more than 700,000 homes.
- Just the rooftop space on K-12 schools in Minnesota would produce enough power for 125,000 homes — while providing additional revenue to help schools and taxpayers.
- According to 2010 polling numbers, 60% of Minnesotans strongly favor getting 10 percent of our energy from solar by 2030.