WASHINGTON, D.C. and ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the national trade association for the U.S. solar energy industry, announced today that the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) is now a formal SEIA state affiliate.

Minnesota is a burgeoning solar market, and the two groups will work together to establish the industry as a stronger part of the state’s economy.

“We see so much potential for solar in Minnesota, which is already leading the way in the community solar sector,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “This partnership with MnSEIA will strengthen our voice in the state as we work to make Minnesota a leading market in the Solar+ Decade.”

Today, Minnesota is home to an impressive 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar electric generating capacity, enough to power 168,000 homes, and ranking 13th nationally.

"We expect to see exponential solar market growth coming to Minnesota and we look forward to breaking our employment records, currently estimated at 5,000 strong and growing rapidly,” said David Shaffer, executive director of MnSEIA. “With increasingly aggressive and innovative solar deployment goals issued by Minnesota's forward-thinking cities, utilities and agencies, we will seize all opportunities to Move Minnesota Solar Forward with our partners at SEIA."

SEIA has developed strategic partnerships with numerous state and regional advocacy non-profits, known as SEIA Affiliates. These organizations have demonstrated leadership on policy and regulatory matters, actively engage with the solar industry in their respective territories and offer grassroots support for SEIA’s federal campaigns, among other accomplishments.

We are proud to call them our partners in growing the U.S. solar industry.

To see a map of the current SEIA affiliates across the country, go to www.seia.org/official-state-affiliates

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