ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: Harnessing sun could help power Michigan

People say Michigan has too many cloudy days for solar energy to be a viable alternative energy source. Don't tell that to Donna and Joe Napolitano.
The couple has worked in the solar industry for more than 30 years. Most of that time has been as proprietors of Mechanical Energy Systems, a solar system installer in Canton.
"We use solar at our home and business, and we probably save about 60% on our utility bills," said Donna Napolitano, who started Mechanical Energy with her husband in 1985. "Once you have an alternative energy system installed, it's your own little system and one that is making money for you."
While not as exotic as such technologies as hydrogen fuel cells, solar power is perhaps the most understood and accessible alternative energy discussed today. Light from the sun is captured by solar panels to heat water systems, as well as generate limited electricity.
Using solar-thermal energy to heat homes and businesses has been shown to reduce natural-gas costs. Solar-generated electricity allows residents to sell excess power to a utility's power grid.
But one of the fastest-growing areas for local solar business people like the Napolitanos is solar water heaters for homes and swimming pools. There are also federal tax incentives to install residential solar power systems.
"We are promoting rebate programs for solar hot water systems as well as providing grants for photovoltaic demonstrations," said John Sarver, the supervisor for Consumer Education Programs at the State of Michigan's Energy Office. "Installing solar isn't the first thing you might use to reduce your energy costs, but it's a technology that will be very common in the future."
The solar industry, composed of solar, solar-thermal and photovoltaic manufacturing, is expected to increase nearly fivefold to more than $51 billion by 2015.
With so much money being poured into the sun industry, opportunities present themselves in Michigan to increase the use of renewable fuels. But perhaps more immediate, jobs are created in Michigan.
Last month, United Solar Ovonic LLC, a subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices Inc. of Rochester Hills, announced plans to build a solar-cell manufacturing plant in Greenville that would create 563 jobs within five years. The maker of photovoltaic panels said the move could result in nearly 1,000 jobs around the state.
Michigan is also home to Hemlock Semiconductor Corp., the world's largest supplier of polycrystalline silicon, the key ingredient in manufacturing wafers for solar panels and computer chips. The company, which has headquarters in Hemlock, also plans to expand its solar-panel business.
In November, Hemlock Semiconductor, along with its majority partner, Dow Corning Corp., announced a $400-million to $500-million expansion of the company's operations that would add 300 full-time and contract positions in the next two years.
Hemlock now has 350 direct employees and 450 contract workers.
"I think" solar "is a great example where the state has helped to support the investment in what's a very rapidly growing industry and provided incentives to not only grow but help to create new jobs," said Rick Doornbos, president and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor, which is near Saginaw.
"The state is well positioned with workers who are being affected by the auto industry to support that."
Solar needs time
The widespread use of solar energy as an alternative to natural gas or coal is not likely to happen soon, primarily because of concerns of reliability and energy efficiency.
Critics of solar power say, without significant subsidies, it is far too expensive to be cost-competitive with power generated from coal and natural gas in Michigan.
They also point out that it is not considered a reliable alternative energy source due to relative lack of sun Michigan gets compared with other parts of the country. \To make solar panels economically viable for installation requires a minimum number of cloud-free days.
But environmentalists counter that Michigan receives 5.5 kilowatt-hours of sunlight a day, which is the average for the 50 states.
"We know it works," said Donna Napolitano. "We've contracted with Seaholm High School in Birmingham to power part of their school with solar."
As a renewable fuel, solar energy is regarded as one of the cleanest sources among alternatives, says Clean Edge Inc., a Portland, Ore.-based research and publishing firm that tracks companies investing in environmentally friendly technologies.
In fact, Menova Energy, an Ontario, Canada-based maker of photovoltaic panels for heating and cooling, sees Michigan as a prime market to make its first foray into the U.S. solar market.
Earlier this month, Michigan solar proponents got a boost from Gov. Jennifer Granholm when she announced that the Michigan Public Service Commission must develop a comprehensive energy plan for the state that includes a renewable portfolio standard by the end of the year.
A renewable portfolio standard would require Michigan to generate a targeted amount of the energy it uses from non-fossil fuel sources, including solar. There are 21 states with renewable portfolio standards, most of which had to be approved through legislatures. Michigan's current electricity portfolio includes 56.7% coal, 26.4% nuclear, 13.4% natural gas, and 2% from renewable.
"We need to look at the solar industry as a way to attract more manufacturing facilities to the state," said Jennifer Alvarado, executive director of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, a Dimondale-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting alternative energy through Michigan.
"When the auto industry was built, Michigan didn't just go after one car company; it went after several. I think the state should approach the alternative-energy industry in the same way."
Contact ALEJANDRO BODIPO-MEMBA at abodipo@freepress.com.