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EQECM 03/11/2014 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY COMMISSION Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave Ne Minutes Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 7:00 p.m. MINUTES Conference Room A (Main Level) Location: Call to Order Chairperson Olin called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Commission members present: Chairperson Olin, Commissioner Elford, Commissioner Westby, Commissioner Velin, Commissioner Boyles Approval of Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Minutes: January 14, 2013. Changes or corrections to the minutes: none MOTION by Commissioner ___Boyles___________ and seconded by Commissioner __Elford to approve the January 14, 2014 minutes. New Business Minnesota Community Solar Guest Speakers Peter Teigland, Vice President of Business Development and Steve Coleman Lead Designer, from Minnesota Community Solar were welcomed. After introductions, Peter Teigland spoke first and discussion was interspersed with his remarks. Community Solar Farms protect the land they are on, whether garden or roof. The power generated goes straight to the grid. Your share of the energy generated by a community solar farm, if you have joined and paid for membership, is reflected as a credit on the bottom of your utility bill. It is your portion of the array. You can subscribe to Community Solar Farm and apply 120 KW of your use. If the Community Solar Farm, in production (for example) 25 years, if you move out of the area or need to cancel your service, you are able to do this. According to Mr. Teigland, The Minnesota Solar Job’s Law (see attached), states that 1.5% of energy must be generated from Solar. These Community Solar Gardens need to be warranted for 25 years to produce 80% of the rated capacity. Commissioner Elford asked if Non-profits can join and purchase shares. Mr. Teigland stated that individuals and Non- profits can join. Staff member Kay Qualley, City Environmental Planners mentioned that some presentations on roof systems she has seen have generated concerns from fire departments about being able to access the inside of buildings in the event of fires if there is a solar facility on the roof. Mr. Coleman from Minnesota Community solar said that the systems have a fire array width and are not placed right on the edge of buildings so that fire ladders have access. In California, with their fire codes, a 10K solar product, (Minnesota Solar likes this), has a module level which can be quickly disabled to interrupt power. It is a 57 volt maximum. Solar roof arrays can extend roof life because they protect the roof from as much weathering. Commissioners asked to brainstorm with the staff from Minnesota Community Solar about the types of locations which might be suitable for them. Commissioner Westby: What about Target’s warehouse? Can you go along the freeways? Mr. Coleman said that the freeway corridor is difficult because of issues with how to mount the structure. Or intrusions into State or County rights-of-way. Commissioner Elford: do you outfit hospitals or what about a business like Liberty Carton in Fridley? Mr. Coleman said that there are a lot of objects on a hospital roof, but it might be possible. The array doesn’t penetrate the envelope of the roof. Commissioners Elford and Westby began tossing out some potential sites for the company, like Medtronic and Metronic’s Rice Creek facility. Mr. Coleman said they might be possible candidates but that large lawn areas might also be suitable. Staff asked if unused narrow turf panels in parks might be suitable for at grade arrays. Mr. Teigland mentioned that recreational areas would need fencing and protections from vandals. The question of solar chip efficiency was raised. Chairperson Olin stated that solar chips are essentially the same as they have been for a number of years, just thinner and less costly. Mr. Coleman and Mr. Teigland said that top performing solar chips could be up to 19% efficient, that the majority are 16% efficient right now, but that efficient appears to be improving by around ½% per year. Mr. Teigland mentioned that in addition to the chips performance improving, the community solar garden business model is also improving. Each solar garden array is a Limited Liability Corporation. Each individual who owns a share, doesn’t own the solar panels themselves. A discussion ensued about the correct size for a Community Solar Garden. Commisioner Westby mused, “How large is say, a Home Depot?” After discussion, Chairperson Olin stated that the City has a lot of flat roof possibilities with many large commercial buildings. Mr. Coleman stated that their firm is examining the many possibilities for Community Gardens in Fridley and that they would be talking to businesses in Fridley deemed good candidates for Solar Gardens. Commissioner Westby asked, “What do we do from here?” Chairperson Olin stated that, as it was nearing 8:00 p.m. with more agenda items to go, he is requesting Minnesota Community Solar to be in communication and to work with City Staff to identify suitable solar locations in Fridley and create actionable next steps. Commissioner report from Courtney Elford on Solar Seminar Commissioner Elford touched on the high spots from the conference topics below: Energy Trends Metropolitan Energy Policy Conference Notes – http://www.mepc- mn.org/Meetings/2014/Feb6_SUMMIT/makingconnectionssummit6FEB14.html MN is a hot bed of energy transition Bill Grant spoke – Deputy Commissioner Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources 2013 Legislative Initiatives – Solar Policy - Solar Energy Standard - Net Metering - Community Solar - Value of Solar Tariff - Xcel Solar*Rewards - Made in Minnesota Solar Incentives Solar Energy Standard 1.5% solar by 2020 •Applies to Public Utilities (IOUs) •Mining & Paper Mills exempted •Approx. 400 MW by 2020 (estimate) •10% carve out for smaller solar (< 20 kW) Goal of 10% solar by 2030 Community solar gardens are gaining in popularity Value of Solar – Legislation requires the Department of Commerce to develop a methodology to quantify the value components of solar electricity including: the value of energy and its delivery, generation capacity, transmission capacity, transmission and distribution line losses, and environmental value. – www.energy.mn.gov Jeff Weisensel – Rosemount Sustainability – Rosemount City Council & Port Authority Their objective – Manage, Live and Grow was to become more sustainable • Sustainability Economic Strategy • Hub for innovation • Emerging & Sustainable Technologies Sustainability as a strategic council goal was put in place for three major reasons: -Best value of tax dollars ensuring Rosemount is a great place to live, work and play. -Integrate the current city with the UMORE planned sustainable community. -Utilize as part of an economic strategy to grow into a sustained community model. *Star Communities - https://www.starcommunities.org/ - Sustainability tools for assessing and rating communities 7 Goal Areas for Star Communities 1-Built Environment 2-Climate & Energy 3-Economy & Jobs 4-Education, Arts& Community 5-Equity & Empowerment 6-Health & Safety 7-Natural Systems How they are using / will use it STAR provides the framework to assess and benchmark our current efforts. It highlights where we have opportunities and will assist by providing a roadmap for purposeful future efforts with available resources. 1. Assessment Stage 2. Goal Setting 3. Project Implementation Brian Ross - Conclusions . . .What are “Solar Ready” Communities? 1. Comprehensive Plans that acknowledge and address solar resources and development 2. Development Regulations that explicitly address solar development in its varied forms 3. Permitting Processes that are predictable and clear 4. Public Sector Investment in the community’s solar resources Lena Hansen – Rocky Mtn. Inst. – Looking to the future – Scoping an Energy Future Study in Minnesota http://mn.gov/commerce/energy/images/MNEnergyFutureStudyScopingReport_140102.pdf and check out - http://www.mepc- mn.org/Meetings/2014/Feb6_SUMMIT/Keynote- LookingToTheEnergyFutureLenaHansen.pdf Energy Strategy Minnesota State Wide Education is important for implementing this initiative How far and how fast can Minnesota transition to a clean energy system while maintaining affordability and energy reliability for its citizens and businesses? • Explore 80% and 100% clean energy by 2030 or 2050 • Buildings, Industry, Agriculture, Transportation, Electricity sectors • Assess affordability, reliability, economic development, environmental quality, public health & quality of life, and risk WHAT IT WILL TAKE • Clarity of purpose and commitment • In-depth, diverse, and on-going stakeholder engagement • $1.5-2 million and 12-18 months • Adequate institutional leadership and support Quote - Walker, there is no path The path is made by walking —Antonio Machado (1875-1939) More Information Reports posted online: www.energy.mn.gov –MN Energy Future Study Scoping –Solar Thermal Study –Energy Storage Study –Energy Savings Goal Study •Made in Minnesota Program now open: www.mn.gov/made-in-minnesota Other New Environmental Steward Program Proposal Composting Rule Changes Anoka County Water Task Force, staff member Qualley is new member. Group is working on five year water plan for County. Clean Water Institute Co-Directors Deb Swackhammer and Faye Siemer will weigh in or attend one of the meetings. Procedures and Rosenberg’s Rules, Memo. Council is using this instead of Robert’s Rules of Order. Informal agreement among EQE Commissioners to also use Rosenberg’s Rules. er 49 Days Parade-EQEC will participate and magnets will be handed out. Green Step Cities. Kay is continuing to attend the GreeStep City presentations at the League of Minnesota Cities. Old Business Minor Update on Organized Collection. Negotiations are continuing and draft contract is not ready for public participation. Minnesota Statute 115 A.94 is being followed. Next Meetings/Announcements Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 7 p.m., Conference Room A (Main Level) Adjourn MOTION by Commissioner Elford and seconded by Commissioner Stoxen to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.