CR Planning

The Million Solar Roofs Initiative, created in 1997 by the U.S. Department of Energy, sets a goal of installing one million solar rooftops in the U.S. by 2010. CR Planning, Inc. assisted the Minnesota Department of Commerce in creating a Minnesota Million Solar Roofs Partnership (known as Solar Minnesota) and in acquiring U.S. DOE grant dollars to promote solar roof technology and to remove local barriers to solar installations. CR Planning is now leading Solar Minnesota's effort to assist Solar Minnesota's local government partners in removing regulatory and administrative barriers to solar roof installations, creating incentives and programs that encourage solar technology in public and private development, and educate staff and officials about solar technology.

Routine land use decisions by local governments can have a tremendous impact on local investment in the community's energy resources, including solar energy. 'Solar roof' energy systems, while still a niche market, are rapidly becoming more popular across the nation. Homeowners and businesses choose solar rooftops to invest in environmental sustainability, demonstrate personal self-sufficiency, or simply have the latest innovative technology. But solar roof systems also provide community benefits, including lowering reducing electric loads on older distribution lines and substations, reducing the export of dollars to pay for fossil fuels from distant states or nations, hedging against natural gas or oil price risk, and diversifying local and regional energy infrastructure.

Solar Minnesota was created in July of 2003 to marshal the resources of Minnesota governments, businesses, utilities, schools, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of transforming the market for solar technology in Minnesota. As one of 86 national Million Solar Roof Initiative partners, Solar Minnesota works to remove market and regulatory barriers to solar investment, create incentives for individuals and organizations to adopt solar technology, educate potential solar investors on technical issues, and help diversity our Minnesota energy systems.

CR Planning is a charter partner in Solar Minnesota and is 100% powered by solar and wind energy.