Target:?Governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton
Goal:?Commend the Minnesota energy company Ecos Energy for beginning commercial operations of the state?s largest solar project.
The largest solar array in the state of Minnesota, built by Ecos Energy and consisting of 7,040 panels, was recently placed into commercial operation. The new plant located, near the city of Slayton, is transmitting the clean electricity it generates to Xcel Energy for distribution to customers. Commend this organization for the completion and operation of the new Slayton solar generation site.
The recently completed project is comprised of 32 rows of solar panels spanning an area equivalent to 7 1/2 football fields. This technology generates a total of 2,000KW of output, enough to power 250 average Minnesota homes. Chris Little, director of development for Ecos Energy, said ?There was no celebration, but it is nice to get things up and running.? Installed solar capacity in Minnesota doubled in 2012 compared to 2011. The completion of the Slayton site this January continues this wave of growth even further into 2013.
All over the country, solar is a growing technology, partially due to the falling price of solar panels. Doug Fredrickson, vice president of operations of Blattner Energy, which constructed the Slayton site, said, ?We expect business to grow considerably in 2013 and 2014. The indicators are really strong. The technology is improving, and the price of panels is going down ? you can hardly keep up with the reductions.?
Ecos Energy intentionally placed its new solar array outside of Slayton near Buffalo Ridge, an area filled with over 70 wind farms. Xcel Energy, the utility that is purchasing the Slayton site?s power, will be studying whether the daytime-only power from solar and intermittent generation from wind facilities can compliment each other effectively. Wind often generates the most energy at night.
The efforts of Ecos Energy will help to provide clean emissions-free energy to hundreds of citizens in Minnesota, while expanding the technology as a viable resource in the state. Their work also enables the utility Xcel Energy to perform valuable generation studies that will improve future integration of wind and solar. Sign this petition to ask Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to commend Ecos Energy for their?commitment?to keeping our environment clean and safe.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Dayton,
A company called Ecos Energy recently flipped the switch on a new solar plant near Slayton, bringing the largest solar generation facility in Minnesota into commercial operation. The new installation, located near Buffalo Ridge, consists of 7,040 photovoltaic panels which produce a total of 2,000KW of power output. This clean, emissions free electricity is enough to power 250 typical homes.
The work of Ecos Energy follows a continuing trend of growing solar generation in the state of Minnesota and all over the nation. This organization alone has built eight solar projects around the midwest in the past year. Their work providing citizens everywhere with access to renewable energy deserves credit. I urge you to commend Ecos Energy for their completion of the Slayton solar facility and their continued commitment to keeping our natural environment safe and pure.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pink Dispatcher via Flickr
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ForceChange/~3/yCWnFhI6njg/
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