Maplewood Oct. 27, 2025 The City Council approved two motions supporting a Solar on Public Buildings grant application to the Minnesota Department of Commerce and awarding a contract to Minnesota Solar to install a rooftop solar system at the Wakefield Park Community Building.

Staff recommended the Minnesota Solar proposal (contract price $70,125) for installation of 66 photovoltaic panels and three inverters, with an estimated annual energy offset of about 95%–112% of the Wakefield Buildings energy use. The contractors proposal includes a 30‑year panel warranty, a 12‑year inverter warranty and a 10‑year workmanship warranty.

City staff said the project is eligible for the state Solar on Public Buildings grant; an award would reduce the citys share by roughly $42,000 if successful. The project may also qualify for the federal investment tax credit (ITC), roughly 30% of eligible costs; staff outlined the ITC eligibility requirements: the city must be in contract with the installer, pay a 5% deposit and have work begin before mid‑2026. If both the state grant and federal ITC are obtained, staff estimated the citys best‑case net cost would be about $7,000; the CIP contains funding to pay the full contract if incentives are not awarded.

Council moved and seconded two motions: one supporting the grant application and one authorizing the contract and directing the mayor and city manager to sign the contract with minor revisions approved by the city attorney. Both motions carried unanimously.

Speakers (selected)

- Steve Love, project presenter (Wakefield Park solar).

Authorities referenced

- Solar on Public Buildings grant (Minnesota Department of Commerce).

Provenance

- topicintro: transcript excerpt at 36:44 where Steve Love introduces the Wakefield solar item: "The 2025 CIP included $100,000 for the installation of a solar system to be installed on the Wakefield Building..."
- topfinish: transcript excerpt at 40:59 where council approved the contract: "Any opposed? That motion carries."