MiEIBC Solar 101 Luncheon connects Michigan lawmakers with solar industry
Michigan, a state perhaps best-known for its auto manufacturing, has recently garnered significant attention for its attractiveness to the solar industry. Two of Inovateus’ flagship projects are in Michigan; our 250-acre solar farm for DTE and the Spartan 1 solar carport project for Michigan State University (the largest carport in North America!). Inovateus has been responsible for nearly 50% of the Wolverine states’ solar capacity. Now, thanks to the restructuring of state energy policies in late 2016 which provide more incentives for solar, Inovateus is excited to continue to work with folks hoping to take control of their energy future through solar.
On February 6th, Inovateus sent a contingent to the Solar 101 Lunch and Learn event in Lansing. The event was hosted by the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, better known as the MiEIBC, and the Institute for Energy Innovation. Michigan lawmakers were invited to learn from solar professionals about their rapidly-growing industry and how state and local policy was impacting the solar market.
For a young and dynamic industry such as solar, educational events such as this one present an invaluable opportunity to establish a dialogue with lawmakers. Inovateus has attended these before, however the attendance on this date eclipsed past events, a good sign of the level of interest among law-makers.
During lunch, the speaking panel of three guests was moderated by MiEIBC’s president, Liesl Clark. Kevin Borgia with Cypress Creek Renewables, laid out the benefits large-scale, utility solar could bring to the state. “When a solar company leases land for a solar development, the quality of the soil improves over the lifetime of the project.” These solar farms will often grow low-level cover crops on the site. “So if a farmer wants to grow crops on the land once the term of the lease is up, he will be good to do that.” Kevin’s comments come in light of the fact numerous land owners around the state are being offered lease agreements to allow for utility-scale solar developers to install on several acres of their land.
Another panelist, Mark Cryderman of The Green Panel, provided insight on how solar is running into roadblocks regarding the permit process. Sometimes, towns and cities do not have experience processing the permits needed for roof or ground-mounted solar, and can charge exorbitant fees or unnecessarily slow down the application process. Cryderman understood these permitting offices are only practicing due diligence, however due to unfamiliarity with the designs and equipment of solar systems, valuable time was being lost to the permitting process.
For our Inovateus team, Phil Rausch of Hemlock Semiconductor was an especially interesting speaker. Hemlock produces around 10% of the polycrystalline silicon used in the global module manufacturing industry. Hemlock was a very vocal opponent of the recently-imposed tariffs on imported modules; analysts predict it will depress the U.S. market by around 10%, figures no one in the room Tuesday was happy with. Analysts expect the tariffs to be more of a blip on the radar, and any number of legal challenges could reduce or end the tariffs.
Inovateus’ Adam Raifsnider connected with two lawmakers during the event, Representative Tom Cochran of the 67th District and Representative Tim Sneller of the 50th. Adam, an Account Executive with a thorough understanding of solar industry, provided them with an overview on where the industry currently stands. “It was really great to give them a run down explanation of Inovateus and provide them insight on the industry and what we expect moving forward into 2018 and beyond.” Adam went on to explain how solar was gaining steam with all segments of the Michigan market; “There is a lot of potential for solar development with the Utilities and co-ops, as well as high-rate (energy) consumers such as municipalities, schools, and particularly the industrial and commercial sector.” Overall, Adam thought the conversations were very productive and is looking forward to future discussions on how to make solar more accessible with state and local officials. “Solar can really improve the lives of the Michiganders these legislators serve”.
Inovateus found the Solar 101 event productive and of very high value to the future of solar in Michigan. While ever-improving technology continues to lower the project costs and increase efficiency, this needs to be complemented by updated state and local policies to ensure safety, consistency and efficiency. Inovateus would like to thank the MiEIBC hosting this event and looks forward to working with policy-makers in the Midwest and beyond to continue building a brilliant tomorrow.
By Tim Powers, research and policy associate, Inovateus Solar
