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Council gives staff direction to pursue state 'solar on public buildings' grants for fire hall and other sites
Summary
Resident and UMN energy specialist Aaron Hansen outlined a state grant (and potential federal tax-credit pairing) that could fund up to 70% of rooftop solar on public buildings; council asked staff to pursue applications, especially for the new fire station and potentially the liquor store, and to collect utility-use data and bids.
Aaron Hansen, an energy program specialist at the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment and a Lindstrom resident, briefed council on a state RFP for solar on public buildings with rolling submissions and an application deadline of Nov. 14. He summarized eligibility (local units of government), maximum system sizing (40 kW AC), and estimated production and costs for the fire station roof.
Using the state-recommended PVWatts calculator, Aaron estimated a 40-kW rooftop system on the fire building could produce about 53,000 kWh per year and yield roughly $6,360 in annual savings at a 12¢/kWh retail rate; he said bids could come in near $120,000–$160,000 for a 40-kW rooftop system. "If awarded, a solar system on one of our public buildings could be covered 100% of the installation cost" after pairing the state grant with federal direct-pay/tax-credit mechanisms, he said—while cautioning that federal credits are not guaranteed. Council asked staff to gather three years of utility data, solicit developer bids and check Xcel interconnection feasibility, and directed staff to pursue applications for the fire department and potentially the liquor store.
