Edina completes $400,000 solar upgrade at City Hall
The Edina City Council received an update on the completion of a major solar panel installation at City Hall, a $400,000 project that represents a significant step toward the city's goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 45% within five years.
City Hall, which operates around the clock to serve city staff and house the police department, has been outfitted with 168 solar panels generating 170 kilowatts of power. The new system replaces a smaller solar garden and is expected to pay for itself within 7 to 10 years through energy savings. The installation also includes LED lighting upgrades and occupancy sensors throughout the building.
The project is part of Edina's broader climate action plan, which aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. City officials emphasized that focusing on city-owned buildings allows the municipality to control energy use and investments while setting an example for other community buildings. "Focusing on our buildings, especially the ones that the city owns, allows us to really have a meaningful impact," a city representative said during the meeting. "We can control the energy use. We can control the investments that are made in our buildings and then also allows us to lead by example for other buildings in our community."
The City Hall project is not the end of Edina's solar expansion. The city is exploring adding solar panels to Fire Station 1 and Braar Arena, while Fire Station 2, currently under construction, is already planned to have solar panels covering its entire roof. These future projects signal the city's commitment to expanding renewable energy across its facilities as part of its long-term environmental strategy.
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Full analysis
Votes (1)
City Hall Energy & Efficiency Upgrades Milestone
The City Hall solar panel installation, a $400,000 investment of 168 panels and a 170-kilowatt system, is complete and ready to be powered on. This is part of a larger city initiative to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45% in 5 years and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The building, used 24/7 by staff and the police department, has also received LED upgrades and occupancy sensors. The project is expected to have a 7-10 year payback period, and the city aims to lead by example for other community buildings.
Notable Quotes (3)
So city hall is one of our larger energy users and is also a building that is used 24/7. We have not only city staff that are here in our offices but our police department is housed here. So, it's a building that has 24/7 service throughout the year. And so, we want to make sure that this is an efficient, comfortable building for our staff who are here uh 7 days a week.
We're hopeful with this size of a robust system, we're looking to hopefully have this investment back within 7 to 10 years to ensure it remains effective.
Focusing on our buildings, especially the ones that the city owns, allows us to really have a meaningful impact. We can control the energy use. We can control the investments that are made in our buildings and then also allows us to lead by example for other buildings in our community.
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
City's strategic document outlining goals to reduce facility energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Specific long-term environmental goal for the city's operations.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Broader Climate Action Goals and Future Solar Projects
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