City Buildings Powered by Solar Energy

Rooftop Solar for City Buildings

In 2011, the City installed 40-kW rooftop solar arrays on three of its buildings: Rondo Community Library, Western District Police Station, and the Public Works Municipal Garage using grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. A smaller 7.75-kW rooftop solar installation was also completed at the South Saint Anthony Recreation Center in 2011.

Together, these four rooftop solar arrays produced 113,000 kWh of electricity during 2023.

The City is planning to increase its use of on-site renewable energy by installing roof-mounted solar arrays at several buildings in 2025, including at the new North End Community Center.

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

Community Solar for City Buildings

The City of Saint Paul has also supported solar energy development in the region by subscribing to off-site community solar gardens. About two dozen municipal buildings receive a portion of their electricity from community solar programs. During 2023, the City of Saint Paul purchased more than 6200 MWh of electricity total through these subscriptions to community solar gardens.