Photos Courtesy All Energy Solar
Summer is over, school has begun, and the days are shorter—but solar power benefits aren’t as seasonal as you may think.
While summer days are great for long hours of sunlight, autumn can be the perfect season for energy production. The leaves are falling off the trees, reducing possible obstructions, the rainiest seasons have passed, and the snow (hopefully!) is still a ways into the future. The sun is still shining, but the air temperature is cool, leading to maximum power potential.
Solar energy can also offset increased energy use in the fall. As the sun disappears earlier in the day, more lights come on sooner in the evening, thermostats start to creep up, and the oven is used more often for family meals. Due to current events, students and professionals alike are working from home more than ever before, with new devices and new energy needs.
Why Make the Switch
As Minnesota electricity consumption increases, every day there are more reasons to make the switch to clean, reliable solar power. The cost of fossil fuel energy is volatile, and even more so when power is needed most, such as when the temperatures get colder. As these fuels become scarcer, the cost of extraction and transportation go up, along with consumer energy prices. Plus, all power provided by fossil fuels causes greenhouse gas emissions that impact weather, food production, water availability, air quality, and more, leading to more community health crises now and in the future.
Solar power is local, reliable, clean, increases energy independence, and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar arrays benefit individual residents and businesses by providing the power they need. Additionally, a privately owned solar array could create enough power to sell back to the local power company, increasing the utility’s energy generation mix and reducing the local community’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Where Minnesota Stands
Despite the state’s reputation for snowy months, Minnesota is more solar-friendly than many residents might expect. In 2019, the state ranked 12th for solar capacity in the nation, powering the equivalent of more than 204,000 homes. The solar industry provides over 4,400 jobs statewide, with more to come.
All Energy Solar is the leader in Minnesota solar energy installation for residential, commercial, agricultural, and government customers looking to make the transition to solar energy. From financing to project design, installation to monitoring, All Energy Solar provides a full-service experience with industry-leading certifications, as well as in-house electrical and solar construction professionals on staff.
Now is a great time to invest in solar, too. For the next year or so, federal tax incentives for installing solar power remain strong, but that won’t last long. After 2021, those incentives for residential projects are eliminated and by 2022, commercial project incentives top out at 10 percent.
Though it’s true that the cost of installing solar has come down significantly, prices on materials and labor can only get so low. Talk to All Energy Solar experts soon to discover what incentives are available for the rest of 2020 and into 2021.
