DECEMBER 13, ROTARY IN REVIEW: Michael Krause

Kristin Montpetit shared that the Holiday Party broke a new fundraising record. Then she made it even better by selling three certificates for 72 cupcakes.

Jay Pfaender encouraged members to come next week when Mike Bussey, a former club member, will be speaking about his decade working for the YMCA in Jerusalem, and his personal take on the Middle East situation.

Nancy McKillips collected happy dollars from Doug Hartford (celebrating Concordia Women’s Volleyball Team’s championship win with 35 out of 36 sets) as well as the ongoing success of the semi our club donated to Feed My Starving Children (which has packed and delivered 80 million meals!); Jay Pfaender (celebrating that we are one step closer to hosting the World’s Fair in 2023); Heather Christopherson (celebrating that People, Inc met its annual giving goal today); and Corey Edmonds (celebrating that the 20,000 gallons of water he poured into his backyard last week has finally frozen into a rink).

Valdi Stefanson introduced today’s speaker, Michael Krause from Kandiyohi Partners to talk about the Solar Energy Revolution in Minnesota.

outlined the three “E’s” of solar energy: economics, environment and equity.

First, the economics/business case:

• There has been a 54% decrease in solar costs. The industry has reached the “tipping point” at which the upfront costs can be recovered in less than two years.
• Between 2015 and 2016 there has been 43% year over year growth in the industry.
• Solar is growing 7x the rate of wind power.
• For businesses, solar is a hedge against market volatility – you can buy electricity at today’s rates and lock them in.
• Companies as diverse as Ecolab and the State Capitol have moved to 100% electricity from solar through community garden shares and credits.

Second, the Environmental impact:

• 15 of the hottest summers on record have been over the last 16 years
• Minnesota is particularly impacted by climate change due to our geography
• MN needs to reduce CO2 emmissions by 50 metric tons to meet its goals

And finally, the impact on social and economic equity:

• MN has the 2^nd worst poverty rate among people of color among the 25 largest cities
• Black unemployment is 10.7% (vs 2.9% for whites)
• 70% of currently open jobs in solar energy don’t require a 4-year degree,
• Utilities in general have jobs starting at $84,000 after just an 18-month certificate program
• MN needs 7,000 qualified utility workers NOW and the need will grow – creating unique opportunities to train and hire people of color

Minnesota is leading the Midwest in solar energy:

• Our state goal is to have 10% of electricity used come from solar by 2030
• We are 8^th in the nation in the number of solar related patents (remember our leadership in the medical device patent industry?)
• There are currently 15,000 local jobs in solar, with an average pay of $71,000
• We have had 1,000% growth in the last three years!

Of course, the outlook isn’t all “sunny.” We still need viable financing and tax equity options to incent public and nonprofit agencies to embrace solar. Our grid is like a 1960 Cadillac – a great model for its day, but needs to be updated to a “smart” grid. Utilities are still run as monopolies selling a commodity, a model challenged by individual customers and nano grids creating and selling their own power. Additionally, Minnesota regulators are overwhelmed (we are second from the bottom in terms of infrastructure investment).

Michael’s presentation was followed by a vigorous Q&A session, demonstrating the club’s knowledge of and interest in the subject. The meeting was adjourned with a recitation of the 4-way test (Jerry Faletti will read from the agenda next time, instead of trying it from memory!).

Respectfully submitted,

Michael-jon Pease