In Depth

30 Times More Jobs from Rooftop Solar, Utility Filing Says

30 Times More Jobs from Rooftop Solar, Utility Filing Says

John Farrell

April 30, 2021

Tucked into a proposal from Xcel Energy, the state's largest electric company, was a comparison of two proposed solar projects: one, a giant solar array on the site of a closing coal plant; the other, a small collection of rooftop solar projects to serve low-income residents. In a nondescript table was a bombshell revelation about the relative economic benefits of solar at small scale: for every million the utility proposed spending on rooftop solar, it would create 30 times more jobs than $1 million spent on utility-scale solar.  READ MORE


Recently Posted

How Big Utilities’ Climate Pledges Fall Short — Episode 129 of Local Energy Rules

How Big Utilities’ Climate Pledges Fall Short — Episode 129 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

May 5, 2021

For this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell and guest John Romankiewicz discuss The Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges: utilities are doing far too little to retire coal, replace it with clean energy, and fulfill their promises.  READ MORE


Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best

John Farrell

May 3, 2021

Minnesota's community solar program hit 794 megawatts in April 2021, enough to power more than 100,000 homes each year or about as much capacity as a typical nuclear power plant!  READ MORE


30 Times More Jobs from Rooftop Solar, Utility Filing Says

30 Times More Jobs from Rooftop Solar, Utility Filing Says

John Farrell

April 30, 2021

Tucked into a proposal from Xcel Energy, the state's largest electric company, was a comparison of two proposed solar projects: one, a giant solar array on the site of a closing coal plant; the other, a small collection of rooftop  READ MORE


Voices of 100%: Youth Propel a Climate Action Plan in St. Louis Park — Episode 128 of Local Energy Rules

Voices of 100%: Youth Propel a Climate Action Plan in St. Louis Park — Episode 128 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

April 21, 2021

For this Voices of 100% episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guests Larry Kraft and Emily Ziring discuss the St. Louis Park, Minn. climate action plan and commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040.  READ MORE


Hosting Capacity Analysis Could Simplify Grid Interconnection for Distributed Energy Resources

Hosting Capacity Analysis Could Simplify Grid Interconnection for Distributed Energy Resources

Maria McCoy

April 13, 2021

These comments, submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on April 7, underline the value Xcel Energy's hosting capacity analysis could have as part of the interconnection process.  READ MORE