Solar Installed Across Brooklyn Park, Minn., Facilities

Brooklyn Park, Minn., has completed a solar project installed across several city-owned facilities.

The solar panels are located at three operations and maintenance buildings, the Community Activity Center, the police station, the central fire station and the water treatment plant.

The project is expected to power the equivalent of about 200 households per year. Moreover, taxpayers are expected to save $60,000 on electricity costs in 2020 and more than $5.5 million over 25 years.

Today, Mayor Jeffrey Lunde announced the completion of the installation. Gov. Tim Walz, Congressman Dean Phillips and Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman joined the news conference to talk about the importance of the project.

“Back in 2015, we worked closely with the community to decide where we want the City of Brooklyn Park to go. It was clear they want the city to be a leader in environmental sustainability,” said Lunde. “Four years later, we are proud to say we were able to complete this project without any cost burden on taxpayers.”

“I commend the city of Brooklyn Park for its leadership and vision,” said Walz. “The future of Minnesota’s environment and economy relies on clean energy. Thank you to Mayor Lunde and the people of Brooklyn Park for moving Minnesota forward.”

A state grant, federal tax credits and third-party investor Standard Solar paid for the nearly $2.6 million solar panel installation. The city, in partnership with Standard Solar, worked with Apex Efficiency Solutions to install the project.