Solar Energy for Municipal Buildings

History of Solar on City Buildings

In 2011, the City installed rooftop solar arrays on four of its buildings using grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce:

• Rondo Community Library,
• Western District Police Station
• Public Works Municipal Garage
• South Saint Anthony Recreation Center

Together, these rooftop solar arrays produced nearly 85,000 kWh of electricity during 2024. The solar systems on the Public Works Municipal Garage and South Saint Anthony Recreation Center were decommissioned in 2025, however, when the roofs needed to be replaced.

Solar arrays also provide electricity for several city-owned properties that are managed by third party entities - including CHS Field, the  Saint Paul RiverCentre, and the  Science Museum of Minnesota.

New Solar for City Buildings

The City of Saint Paul is expanding its renewable energy use during 2025-2026 with new on-site solar projects supported by grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Commerce's  Solar on Public Buildings Program.

Solar projects at the North End Community Center and Fire Station #3 were completed in late 2025, and rooftop systems were installed on the renovated Animal Services facility and the new Hamline Midway Library in early 2026.

The City of Saint Paul will also be adding solar at the Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center and Frogtown Community Center in summer/fall 2026.

Community Solar for City Buildings

The City of Saint Paul has supported solar energy development in the region by subscribing to off-site community solar gardens. Two dozen municipal buildings receive a portion of their electricity from community solar programs. During 2025, the City purchased more than 5800 MWh of electricity through these subscriptions to solar gardens.