City Council tables City Center solar plan after questions on warranty, engineering and site change

West Central Initiative representative Griffin Peck presented a solar analysis for the City Center building, projecting a positive cashflow after 4 years, 11 months, annual energy savings of $4,400 and that the array would offset 23% of the building’s annual consumption. Peck and Holsen Solar’s Ben Holsen said the full project cost would be $109,585 before incentives; Peck said incentives — Otter Tail Power’s POP rebate of $54,793 and a 30% IRS investment tax credit of $32,876 — would reduce the city’s net cost to $21,917.

Peck told the council the proposal initially targeted the City Center roof but the design was changed to place panels on the metal roof of the new public works shop to avoid penetrating the City Center’s standing-seam roof. Holsen said the new mounting method uses clamps and “will not penetrate the roof,” and that the project “should be started in the next few weeks and be complete by August 1st.” Public Works Director Kyle Mattson raised concerns about warranty implications because the shop building was purchased from Metallic; Mattson asked that Holsen coordinate with Hammers Construction and Metallic to ensure no warranty voids. Councilor Grotheer said the council should have its engineer review Holsen’s engineer’s calculations, and raised questions about snow load and long-term maintenance.

After discussion, Councilor Grotheer moved to table the project until the council could get additional information on warranty status, engineering verification, and other follow-ups; Councilor Nesland seconded. The motion carried 4–1 (Maki, Grotheer, Nesland and Mayor Hetland in favor; Hammond opposed). Griffin Peck reminded the council that the current incentive window closes after 2027 and urged applications in 2026 or early 2027; Holsen said he would contact Hammers Construction and follow up with Clerk Julie Roberts about coordination.