The Minnesota State Fair set an attendance record of 1,943,719 this year, and the Eco Experience likely set a record of its own as more than 260,000 passed through its doors.
At the center of the Eco Experience was the Home Energy Exhibit, coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Commerce partnered with Minnesota utilities, state agencies, energy businesses, and nonprofits to provide consumers with engaging displays and features. The State Fair afforded Commerce and its partners the opportunity to speak with thousands of Minnesotans about energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy. It was a chance to move people further on the path to making their homes more comfortable, efficient, and safe.
Community solar garden display in the Eco Experience Energy Home exhibit.
One of the many popular displays was the Minnesota Solar App, which via two large screens allowed fairgoers to learn the solar potential of their property. Other venues featured LED lighting, home energy savings, home performance, and sustainable homes. Four new displays were well received, including the Zero Net Energy Home, What’s in Your Walls?, Green Pricing, and Save Water/Save Energy. These and others energy displays may find homes for viewing during the fair’s off-season.
Metro CERT Director Diana McKeown staffs MN Solar App.
The Home Energy Exhibit is intended to be educational and helps Minnesotans make informed choices about energy improvements. It demonstrates how conserving energy and investing in energy efficiency and clean energy will pay dividends to the consumer and the environment alike, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting utility bills, and enhancing the quality of life.
More than 5,000 Home Energy Guides from Commerce and about 3,000 Right Light Guides from CERTs were given out, along with other informational flyers and brochures.
This year’s energy efficiency lighting display.
Bright guys: Terry Webster with MN Dept. of Commerce and Dan Thiede with CERTs.
Commerce would like to thank the many partners who helped make the Home Energy Exhibit a big success: Clean Energy Resources Teams (CERTs), CenterPoint Energy, Xcel Energy, Center for Energy and Environment, Neighborhood Energy Connection, Minnesota Building Performance Association, the Natural Built Home Store, Best Buy, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Lissa Pawlish with CERTs presents about community solar gardens.
