Bright, sunny skies fell upon upon Brooklyn Park City Hall on Monday as city, state, and national leaders unveiled the largest solar project of any Minnesota city.
Among those attending the debut of nearly 6,000 solar panels included Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Speaker Melissa Hortman, Rep.. Dean Phillips, and Brookly Park mayor Jeffrey Lunde.
Solar panels can be found on public buildings, including over 120 panels on the roof of the city's fire station. Mayor Jeffrey Lunde called the $2.6 million project a win for taxpayers.
"We worked with investors, the state, and the federal government to bring in bonds, grants and tax credits," Lunde said. "This project comes at no cost to taxpayers.
The installed panels generate more 1.5 Megawatts of electricity per year, which is enough to power aobut 200 households. Gov. Tim Walz praised the project and its implementation.
"We're here to celebrate what can happen." Walz said. "We're proud to show the innovation happening at the community level and community leadership taking us forward."
The city also says taxpayers will save $60,000 in electricity in 2020 and more than $5.5 million over 25 years.