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Joel Cannon: Ten K Solar
 Guest speaker Joel Cannon, CEO of Minneapolis-based Ten K Solar, provided an overview of solar energy and what’s happening nationwide.
Ten K Solar produces advanced photovoltaic modules for commercial rooftops, carports and ground-mount applications nationwide. Locally, its solar-energy panels are on the roof of the Eden Prairie Community Center.
Joel said it’s important to look at solar energy as a technology. Like most technologies, it’s getting better, cheaper and more efficient. Which means it’s around to stay. But again, like most technologies there are bumps along the way. For solar that means getting the public policies, subsidies, and tax incentives right; ensuring that
it’s a technology that’s available across all incomes; and ironing out the transmission and storage issues – such as improved battery storage.
Solar is finding particular success among rural cooperatives, who otherwise face higher than average electrical rates. And also in sunny climates like California, where solar energy is hip. Last year 20 percent of California’s peak energy generation came from solar.
No matter what, says Joel, solar is going to be a big part of our future lives.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The annual STRIVE Breakfast recognizing students and mentors in this program will be held Tuesday, May 3, at the Eden Prairie Community Center in lieu of our normal meeting at Bearpath.
- Make plans to attend the club’s Above & Beyond Dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 11 at Olympic Hills Golf Club. This heart-warming program recognizes EPHS seniors who have overcome great odds.
- Sign up now for the district Rotary conference May 12 and 13 at Mystic Lake.
- Mark your calendar for the Progressive Dinner, which will be Saturday, May 21. The dinner portion will be at one location, and will be catered. Sign up now; more information can be obtained from Pei Ling Jamison
SPOTLIGHT ON GEORGE ESBENSEN
 Rotarian George Esbensen was born in Eureka, Calif, and lived in Duluth, Tallahassee and Edina before marrying Jean at age 20, and building a house in Eden Prairie in 1984. George joined Rotary shortly after moving here, but had to let it go for a while after diving into a new passion: volunteer firefighting. He was a private-sector guy for many years but was hired as Eden Prairie’s full-time fire chief in 2002. “It’s been a great ride,” says George. “And I love Rotary; love the mission of Rotary.”
HAPPY FINES ......We’re happy. And we’re willing to pay fines for being so.
- Irene Kelly is happy about the Eden Prairie Fire Department’s willingness to accommodate a young grandchild’s passion for firefighters.
- Elaine Larabee, Dave Anderson, and Roger Jorgensen are happy and even moved by the recent Ethics Day Luncheon and John Crudele’s work to organize that inspiring event.
- Josh Swanson – the new “Dr.” Josh Swanson – is inspired by a new Central Middle School class called Impact that has students giving back to the community.
- Carol Bomben is happy about the club’s role in a new PROP effort to provide backpacks (containing bus cards, Cub Foods gift cards, food, hygiene products, and more) to homeless teens.
- Mary Jo Sherwood is happy to have a guest, granddaughter Lilly, who is attending her first Rotary meeting and might be a future Rotary intern.
VISITORS
Our guests included Greg Olson and Joe Epping.
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