WASHINGTON, DC - Calling it “groundbreaking,” Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), today praised plans by Fortune 500 company Ecolab, a global leader in hygiene, energy and water technologies, to go “all solar” at its worldwide Minnesota corporate headquarters. According to the company, Ecolab will acquire 16 megawatts (MW) of electricity from a 200 MW community solar garden, which is being developed by SEIA-member company SunEdison.

“This is a huge step forward for Minnesota’s solar industry,” said Resch. “It’s truly ground breaking in a lot of ways. Not only will the community solar garden double the state’s solar capacity when finished, but it also shows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Minnesota’s renewable energy efforts are starting to pay big dividends. This is also a win-win for Ecolab. The company will be saving money on its utility bills and helping to protect the environment, too. We applaud Ecolab for leading by example, and SunEdison for investing in Minnesota’s future.”

Today, there are 120 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Minnesota, employing nearly 1,000 people. Average installed residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV) system prices across the state have fallen by 16 percent in the last year.

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About SEIA:

Celebrating its 41st anniversary in 2015, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contacts:

Ken Johnson, SEIA Vice President of Communications, kjohnson@seia.org (202) 556-2885
Samantha Page, SEIA Press Officer and Communications Manager, spage@seia.org (202) 556-2886