Renewable Energy Installer List

Discussion at January SE CERTS Steering Committee meeting

MN Department of Commerce has updated the Renewable Energy Installer List: Folks should check the revised list and see if there are contractors missing; Send out to the CERT list serves to gather other contractors and information; Contacted Bergey wind out of Kansas, they have installers in Pine Island, Plainview, Faribault

Here’s the link to the list: http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Commerce/Hiring_a_Renewable_Energy_Dealer_121302010223_How2Hire.pdf
Comments:
- It only covers solar and small wind; maybe this defined list is the right target
- Doesn’t do much for geothermal (would Commerce put out a list on this?) or biogas (anaerobic digesters, WWTP, farm-based, would you need to tailor this list to ensure you draw the “bubble” correctly?), etc.
- What does energy use evaluation mean? Should they do assessments and look at conservation and efficiency first?
- On list starting to get plumbers, HVAC, electricians, etc. – how do we get a hold of existing contractors and get them to start thinking about the alternative energy business opportunities/avenues – NABSEP PV installers, MRES does program for plumbers to do solar thermal, Energy Auditor classes already exist… would it be worth bringing those here (SE)?
- There’s a disconnect between getting the energy audit and then getting the work done to weatherize your home… building envelope issues are significant, but people install new systems without making the necessary upgrades
- If you showed increased demand, more of the contractors may choose to opt in
- Would be good to show folks that the payback of their energy efficiency improvements would come out of their bill savings; in the same business model (of sorts) freEner-g solar PV leasing program: http://www.freener-g.com/
- 700-750 is average kWh/month residential energy usage statewide
- What about the recent State offering for micro-energy loan fund? Per the October 2008 press release, “$10 million is now available for micro-energy and conservation home improvement loans to help Minnesotans save on energy costs.” See more information here: http://www.midwesternaccord.org/News%20Page/MN%20Microenergy%20and%20conservation%20loans.pdf.

Next Steps:
o Contact Stacy re: list – send out draft for input; then send it out again with noted gaps (see link above)
o Follow-up with MRES on trainings; follow-up with Bruce Nelson on energy auditor training
o Develop articles that highlight offerings within the federal economic recovery package – specifically for WX and air-sealing $ - need shovel ready, this is IT