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Minneapolis Goes Solar
The City of Minneapolis has installed solar panels on three of its buildings. Starting in 2005 and completed in 2006, a fire station and two public works facilities were equipped with solar arrays that, taken together, are capable of generating over 30 kWh of electricity. That is more than enough to satisfy the energy needs of the average home. The project was funded with a $100,000 Great Cities Program grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency and $25,000 in solar energy rebates from the State of Minnesota. The systems are projected to provide the City an estimated $62,000 (at 2006 electrical rates) in electricity savings over the life of the systems. Solar power harnesses energy from the sun to either heat water (solar thermal) or generate electricity (photovoltaic). Solar thermal systems preheat water, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat homes and provide hot water for bathing and washing. Photovoltaic systems, such as those installed by the City in this project, convert light from the sun directly into electricity. Photovoltaic systems are usually more expensive but more versatile than solar thermal. Passive solar is another method of harnessing the sun’s energy. Designing buildings to maximize natural daylight and the Sun’s warmth are common passive solar practices. The City’s new 3rd Police Precinct building uses a passive solar heat exchanger to pre-warm air before it enters the building’s heating system. Learn more about the City’s three new photovoltaic (solar electric) systems. Royalston Maintenance Facility Minneapolis receives grant to build largest urban solar array in the Midwest Solar in MinneapolisHere are some local businesses and organizations that have gone solar: Northern Sun Merchandizing The Wedge Coop Seward Neighborhood Group in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board The Green Institute Seward Neighborhood School |
With rising energy costs, air pollution and global climate change, how we get and how we use electricity is becoming a big issue. Moving away from reliance upon fossil fuels such as coal and oil makes good sense economically, environmentally and socially. Converting energy from the Sun is a renewable and non-polluting way of producing electricity.