As millions of people around the globe celebrate Earth Day, many undoubtedly will be reminded of the pollution that fouls the air they breathe.

They will be reminded that not only do the pollutants contaminate the air, they also are considered by many of the world's leading scientists to be a primary cause of global warming.

Much of that pollution is belched from the smokestacks of coal-fired plants and utilities and the tailpipes of buses, cars and trucks. To address the problem, nations - and states like Wisconsin - have mounted efforts to reduce carbon emissions by resorting to alternative fuel sources like the sun and the wind and the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface.

Anyone who has experienced the arctic blasts of a Wisconsin winter would probably have a hard time believing the state has more potential for harnessing energy from the sun than Germany, the world leader in solar development.

But with 20 percent more sunlight than Germany, the Badger State has loads of untapped potential, a recent report by Wisconsin Environment concluded.

"When it comes to solar power, Wisconsin is ready to shine," said the group's field associate, Lindsay North. "Harnessing our solar potential will reduce pollution, create new jobs and make us more energy independent."

In recent years, solar energy development in Wisconsin has heated up.

Wisconsin ranks eighth in the nation in solar installations with 724, according to a new Web site maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that tracks the growth of the solar power industry. The state ranks 11th among states in solar megawatt capacity.

Wisconsin is one of only three states - California and Texas are the other two - that have two cities, Madison and Milwaukee, in the Department of Energy's Solar Cities program.

Madison Gas & Electric has become a Central Region leader in solar power, ranking eighth among 92 U.S. utilities for new solar power additions to the grid since 2008, according to the Solar Electric Power Association.

In December, Gov. Jim Doyle joined energy industry leaders for kickoff of a project to install photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the Capitol. Doyle also has had a solar hot-water system installed at the executive mansion.

"Installing solar panels on the State Capitol and Executive Residence will help state government become more energy efficient and save the state money," Doyle said in a statement. "Wisconsin has no coal, or gas, or petroleum. It is important that we produce a good share of our own energy and keep some of our energy dollars here in Wisconsin."

Because of its lack of coal, gas or oil, Wisconsin sends $16 billion out of state every year to import fossil fuels. By investing more in solar, wind and other clean energy sources, the state could keep a big chunk of that money, authors of the Wisconsin Environment report contend.

Among the report's findings:

The state's solar resources are similar to those of New Jersey, which produces enough solar electricity to power 9,000 homes. Only California produces more.

The state has the technical potential to generate 11.9 million megawatt-hours of electricity from rooftop panels on homes and businesses. That's enough electricity to power two-thirds of the state's 2.5 million homes.

The state's industries are poised to benefit from a growth in solar technology. Breweries, cheese factories and other food processing plants could use solar systems to corral heat from their processes. Farms in remote locations also could utilize solar energy.

"Wisconsin does have potential, either with rooftop solar or solar farms, to generate solar power," said Monique Hanis, a spokeswoman for the Solar Electric Industry Association.

The group's annual report shows that despite the recession, there was significant growth in the solar industry in 2009, both in terms of new installations and employment. Revenues rose 36 percent, and the solar electric market grew by 37 percent.

Much of the growth, industry experts say, was driven by a new tax credit created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the lifting of a $2,000 cap on the residential investment tax credit for solar thermal installations and other incentives, some of which are state-based.

In addition, the cost of installing solar systems has decreased, making the industry more competitive with wind and other renewable energy sources.

Surveys show that Americans think favorably of solar energy, said Dan Kohler, executive director of Wisconsin Environment.

"Public polls show that it's through the roof in terms of support," Kohler said.

"If we're going to become energy independent, we have to pursue viable clean options, and solar is an option that holds great potential," Kohler said.

Wisconsin Environment's report comes as the state legislature is considering a bill that would increase to 25 percent the state's renewable energy standard. And the Senate is expected to begin debate soon on legislation that could affect the nation's energy mix.

Proponents of the clean-energy movement tout job creation as a selling point. Kohler points to Orion Energy Systems in Manitowoc as one of the Wisconsin companies that is having success with solar.

Orion manufactures an innovative solar lighting system that it has sold all over the world. Miller Brewing Co. and Coca-Cola are among the companies using Orion's lighting system.

Orion opened a 266,000-square-foot plant in Manitowoc in 2004 that now employs 230 people. It has a national sales staff of 300. It opened a 74,000-square-foot technology center on Earth Day last year.

Kevin Crawford, Orion's vice president for business development and government affairs, said the company's hallmark is energy efficiency. He said is Orion is well positioned to take advantage of any state or national renewable-energy mandate.

"We definitely have the technology to help people comply," Crawford said, "and to help people save money."

 

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