Energy Independence Group - Solar, Wind, Geothermal Installers - St. Paul, Minnesota

EIG GOES TO THE COUNTRY

Darryl Thayer’s grandson works for a large turkey grower. He reports that his employer is spending $3,000,000 per year on propane for heating.

As we look around the country, we find that many farmers have high energy bills.

EIG has assembled a team of three very competent consultants in energy conservation and renewable energy. We are negotiating with a distributor of highly efficient heating, cooling and ventilating [HVAC] systems. EIG will help this distributor introduce Renewable Energy systems to customers that have already invested in energy saving.  EIG will introduce its own customers and prospects to efficient HVAC systems.

Fuel products like Methane Gas can be extracted from manure and litter before they are spread as fertilizer. Some of the best research on Methane extraction in the world has been done in Denmark. EIG is contacting the holder of Danish patents for a possible cooperative arrangement.

HYBRID SUPER SOLAR PLANT

"It may well be a sign of things to come. One of the largest solar projects in the world has decided to convert half from Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) to Photovoltaics (PV).

German based Solar Millennium and its U.S. subsidiary Solar Trust of America are collaborating on the huge solar project near Blythe, California. When completed, the Blythe facility will be the largest solar plant in the world, producing a total nominal generating capacity of 1,000 MW. They claim more than 300,000 single-family homes could be powered by the 7,000 acre plant each year.

The turnabout of solar technologies on the 500 MW first phase occurred after construction had already begun. On August 18 a Solar Trust of America press release identified improved PV market conditions as the main driver of the decision.

The companies determined that PV is finally reaching parody in price with energy sources like coal and nuclear. Also seen were the lower cost of PV modules and more favorable lending conditions. High manufacturing capacity and low costs will see PV taking a more prominent role in solar energy development from here on out.

CSP, which uses mirrors to focus sunrays and utilize thermal heat energy to power turbines, is used more than 60% of the total utility-scale installed solar power in the U.S.

"Our long-term strategy remains unchanged,” says Solar Millennium CEO Christoph Wolff. "… The advantages of CSP as a grid-stabilizing renewable energy source with storage capabilities are obvious and highly valued by utilities…This includes the use of hybrid PV/CSP plants."

Source:  energydigital.com Solar Millennium picks PV over Solar Thermal at Blythe 8-19-11

SOLAR REWARDS EXHAUSTED

Most to commercial, leaving little for homeowners

According to solar industry officials, high demand for rooftop solar electric panels, especially for commercial buildings, has exhausted Xcel Energy's Solar Rewards subsidy program for the year.

John Wold, manager of Xcel's solar programs, said that the final $1 million of its $4.6 million 2011 Solar Rewards program was recently awarded to commercial projects.

Homeowners who are shut out of Xcel Solar Rewards still could get in line for the subsidy next year. The panels could even be installed this year, but projects wouldn't get the lump-sum payouts until next year, nor could they be connected to the grid before then, Wold said.

Source: Star Tribune Xcel Energy's solar subsidy tapped out for 2011 8-22-11

SPACE

EIG is pleased to announce that it has added two experienced mechanical engineers to its staff. This has enabled EIG to perform engineering studies on a wide variety of applications. This includes retrofitting existing structures as well as new construction.

EIG designs and installs Sustainable Energy Systems in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Let us assess your energy usage and site conditions so that we can recommend the optimum means by which your space can be more energy efficient. If appropriate, EIG will prepare a bid proposal and estimate your costs to get you on the path toward the purchase or lease of a solar, wind or geothermal installation.
Sustainable energy systems may be purchased or leased with an option to buy later.

Contact EIG at:
651-757-3393 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

INCENTIVES OFFERED FOR RENEWABLES IN THE BADGER STATE

Since 2001, Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program has worked with eligible state residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote
in-state economic development, protect the environment and control the state's growing demand for electricity and natural gas.
Financial incentives are available to help homes, farms, and businesses take advantage of several renewable energy technologies. They include Solar Electric, Solar Hot Water, Wind Electric, Biomass, and Biogas Systems.
According to Focus on Energy, Solar Electric is Wisconsin's fastest growing renewable energy market. They claim more efficient modules and ever falling component costs, make them a popular  choice for homes, farms, and businesses. View system pricing.
Solar hot-water systems, says Focus on Energy, “can easily supply half of the hot water needs of the typical Wisconsin home or business, and can even be used to heat pools or water for industrial processes… They're well proven for use in Wisconsin's climate.” See real-time domestic hot water energy savings.
Focus on Energy sees Wind Electric Systems as becoming an important technology in the search for renewable, non-polluting ways to generate power. Wind turbines are being implemented not only on rural homes and farms, but at factories and in schoolyards as well.
Rounding out the list of renewable energy technologies where financial incentive are offered are; Biomass used to heat homes, businesses, and schools and Biogas Digesters (also called anaerobic digestion systems) that mainly converts cow manure into electricity, among other things.
All the systems may be covered up to 30% of the project cost. The maximum incentives on each are:

Please Note:  Due to exponential growth surpassing the allocated budget, incentives for business program renewable energy projects were temporarily suspended as of July 1. The suspension allows the FOE staff to re-evaluate the current program framework to ensure the long term sustainability of the program. Residential projects are not affected.
Source:  FocusonEnergy.com

FOSSIL FUELS TO RENEWABLES
The first steam boats were wood-fired. By 1840, there was heavy river commerce between St. Louis and the head waters of navigation at St. Anthony Falls.
The majority of steam engines in the USA burned wood until 1870. By then, all the trees had been cut down on six mile wide strips on each side of the Mississippi River. At that point, it had become less expensive to import coal.
Commercial mining had started around 1730 in Virginia so coal was readily available. Wood-fired steam engines were required to dig the coal and deliver it where it was needed. Lots of wood was burned developing the coal industry. Lots of coal was burned to develop the oil and gas industries.
Fortunately, wood is renewable and we still have an abundance of coal, albeit dirty. 51% of our oil is being imported, some from unfriendly places. New fields are more expensive to exploit. The cost of oil per barrel is volatile.
Renewable energy systems require fossil fuel to produce, deliver and maintain. In making a PV module fossil fuels are used to melt sand to make silicon crystals and to melt alumina to make the aluminum frames. The question is, should we burn all our fossil fuel now because it is still cheap or invest it in renewable energy that will benefit future generations?

COST OF HEATING IN MINNESOTA

For eight months out of the year in Minnesota, keeping warm is one of the major preoccupations. The most common methods of heat generation is with Natural Gas.
At a cost of a about $1.70 per Therm, it is still pretty cheap. Others heat with Electricity, Heating Oil or Propane. They are much more expensive.

ELECTRICITY
The price per kWh has risen .75¢ from 2010 to 2011;
it is now 10.3¢ per kWh.
1 KWh = .034 Therms—at 10.3¢ per kWh the cost is the equivalent of (.103 X .034) $3.50 per Therm.
HEATING OIL
The cost of Heating Oil has been rising since 2000.  Although the cost fluctuates with supply and demand, the trend is sharply upward. At $3.50 per gallon the cost is the equivalent of $3.33 per Therm.

PROPANE
The cost of propane has been rising since 2000.
It is a by-product of natural gas processing and crude oil refining, in roughly equal amounts from each.
As it is so, the cost has leveled off recently due to an abundance of “Fracked” Natural Gas.
$2.00 per gallon is the equivalent of $3.97 per Therm.

SPACE

Any site analysis is only as accurate as the least accurate input. Errors in structure orientation, solar system sizing, collector placement, and component specification can result when the solar installer fails  to accurately assess shading  patterns at a proposed site.
EIG has added a new technology to its tool kit with the acquisition of the Sun Eye 210, an integrated Shade Analysis Tool for solar site assessment. It features a fisheye lens on a digital camera and a dedicated onboard
processor to perform digital image processing and analysis to compute shading and solar access percentages. It also includes an electronic compass and level, and an inclinometer function for
measuring roof pitch and azimuth.

SOLAR LEASING OPTION

For the average person, the $20K+ price tag normally associated with “going solar” can be a considerable obstacle to overcome. However, with the increased availability of federal, state and utility incentives, tax credits and rebates its getting easier to surmount the financial hurdle.
A relatively new concept is quickly growing in popularity – simply avoid most, if not all of the upfront cost. The solar company buys the system, installs it and leases it back to the homeowner, business or non-profit. When the lease expires they have the option to either purchase the system as installed or have it removed by the solar company free of charge.
Depending on local utility rates, many solar systems now have paybacks in the 5-7 year range. This means that the shorter the time is towards system ownership, the sooner or greater the cash flow that can be derived from the revenue that a solar system generates.
Some companies require long-term leasing programs (15-20 years) and make large profits after the first few years. EIG offers a medium term lease (10 years), so it is win win should the option to purchase be chosen.
Although there is a monthly payment associated with leasing, which is often cited as the only disadvantage of solar leasing, this is usually offset by the energy bill savings. Your electric bill will go down considerably (or completely), then the net result is a monthly savings.

NEWS FROM HERE AND THERE

A top ten list courtesy of the Solar Energy Industries Association was recently published of the states in cumulative installed solar power capacity as of 2010.

See The New York Times - The Top 10 Solar States, 5-20-11