Newsmakers: Nokomis Energy Sees Rise in Solar Energy Use
The industry of solar energy continues to grow and adapt at speeds that the average person likely doesn’t notice.
But some of those changes could be good for the consumer, at least according to Brendan Dillon, who is one of the founders of Nokomis Energy.
Dillon says there are massive changes in energy transition right now.
“From large, centralized power plants to more of a distributed structure,” explained Dillon, who says that points to good news for consumers wanting to jump on the solar bandwagon.
“It also gives more choice to energy customers to evaluate where they want their energy coming from, as well as how much they want to pay for it,” he said.
Recently, CCX News walked through the process of installing solar panels on the home of Robbinsdale Mayor Bill Blonigan. See that story here.
A rendering of what Bill Blonigan’s roof looks like with the solar panels.
On-Site Solar
Dillon founded Nokomis Energy with Dan Rogers and Julian White in 2017. The company mainly works on projects in the greater Twin Cities area.
He says most of the projects they are working on are called “on-site solar.”
“We are connecting a solar system behind a customer’s meter to reduce the amount they could purchase from utility,” explained Dillon. “Or we’re doing community solar where we build projects in front of the meter or just on distribution grid on utility. That allows customers to then save money by pledging some of their energy usage from those projects.”
Often cost and navigating through tax breaks can be deterrents to installing solar energy, but Dillon says costs are coming down.
“There are so many ways to save with solar energy on a variety of energy technologies. It’s an exciting time to be looking,” said Dillon.
Even if a consumer doesn’t install solar panels or a solar garden, there’s a chance he or she might benefit if the community invests in solar.
“There are smart grid applications that maybe a homeowner might not participate in, but their community eventually will by modernizing their grid, lowering their cost and getting more clean energy into their community,” said Dillon.
If you are interested in learning more about solar energy, Dillon recommends finding a local installer that you trust and a local solar energy developer that can walk you through the process and ensuring that you understand your options.
“There are a lot of things that are changing and you’ve got to know your utility,” said Dillon. “Get to know the programs you are offering and translate that into what’s the best project, knowing your own business or home.”
