COOK COUNTY LOCAL ENERGY PROJECT

Solar Direct

Believe it or not, northern Minnesota actually has a pretty good solar resource. There are, of course, ups and downs - Cook County has really good sun in July and August (as good as Southern Florida) and not-so-good sun in November and December (but still as good as Cincinnati). But that's not all bad because our peak solar energy potential, which is in the daytime in summer, coincides with the highest spikes in electricity demand. Now, if we could just get the pricing structure of electricity to account for this ability to meet peak demand, local solar power might quickly become a more viable energy option for Cook County.

We can get energy directly from the sun in two basic ways: by making it into electricity with photovoltaic (PV) panels; or through a process called solar thermal whereby the sun's energy directly heats a liquid which can then be used to make hot water or to heat a building. Solar PV is still relatively expensive (although prices continue to fall); but solar thermal continues to be an economically attractive renewable energy technology.

Solar energy is carbon-free, renewable, and since it lends itself to small-scale, locally-owned development, it could be an important part of a new, local, energy industry, creating local jobs, and keeping local capital at work in our communities.



Solar Working Group