Minnesota

• District Energy Solar Thermal System, St. Paul (2012)-

  This case study focuses on the district energy solar thermal heating system installed on the Saint Paul River Centre in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the time of the installation in 2011, this was the largest known solar thermal hot water heating installation in the United States.

• Analyzing the Design and Performance of a Retrofit Solar Thermal Combination DHW and Space Heating System (2010)-

  This paper comes from James Dontie of Gustavus Adolphus College. It reports on an analysis of a solar thermal combination domestic hot water and space heating system which was retrofitted into a residence in Minnesota.

• I Want My Own Solar System! (2009)-

  This brochure comes from the Minnesota Office of Energy Security. It provides information for households and consumers on the benefits and basic of solar thermal heating for the home.

• Green Institute Issue Brief on Solar Energy (2008)-

  This report was issued by the Green Institute in 2008 and discusses the option of a “solar carve-out” to build Minnesota’s solar future.

  To develop Minnesota’s renewable sources beyond 25 percent, development of additional renewable energy will be necessary, specifically solar technology.

• Building Minnesota’s Solar Future: The Option of a “Solar Carve-Out” in the Renewable Energy Standard (2008)-

  This brief was put out by the associate director of the Green Institute in 2008. The purpose of this document is to plan a program to build on the current Minnesota state program – a solar rebate ending in 2009.

• Minnesota Solar Hot Water Rebate Application (2009)-

  This is the actual form and terms to apply for solar rebates in Minnesota by the Office of Energy Security. This includes all the information you need to apply for a solar water heating rebate. It goes over all the steps to receiving rebates including all the standards you need to know including: eligibility, location of system, approval, incentive amount, system requirements, consumer education and more. The actual rebate application is also included in the document.

   

  Go to document

• USA: Low Expectations and a Shift towards Commercial Systems-

  Commercial applications have gained momentum in the US over the last two years. The system shown in the picture is a project by the The Leveredge company from Florida. The 223 m² installation heats up to 15,000 litres per day.
  Photo: The Leveredge

• Confident Newcomers in the U.S.- After almost 20 years of stagnant markets, since 2005 the U.S. solar thermal market is exploding. According to the official governmental statistics (www.eia.doe.gov) the market rose by 77 % in 2006 to 111,480 m² (78 MW_th). After many years of winter sleep the local industry is waking up. Interesting and self-confident newcomers enter the stage.