Saint Paul — The Minnesota Department of Administration announced today that it has contracted with IPS Solar, a Minnesota based company, for the installation of five new solar arrays in Saint Paul. Once installation of all sites is complete (anticipated for mid-2019), Minnesota’s newly-restored State Capitol and surrounding buildings will be received at least one-third of their energy needs from Minnesota produced renewable sources.

Groundbreaking for the largest of the planned solar arrays—and the only surface level array to be installed—is anticipated in mid-December. In 2016, the department partnered with Xcel Energy to create the Renewable*Connect Government pilot program and rate plan, which requires that at least a third of the Capitol Complex’s base-load electrical needs come from utility-scale renewable energy sources here in Minnesota.

As part of Governor Mark Dayton’s environmental agenda, his Administration created a state Office of Environmental Sustainability at the Department of Administration that has led a range of sustainability improvements to buildings and operations across state government, including making quick progress toward achieving a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. The Capitol Complex solar project is a part of that effort.

The project isn’t the first to be built on the Capitol grounds. The inaugural rooftop solar array was installed on the Minnesota Senate Building in 2018, which is a 133 kW solar installation on the roof of the building. This project will quintuple that, generating 825,380 kWh per year and saving the state $87,915 in the first year.

“This is just one step the State is taking in a one-two punch to fight climate change and avoid future operating costs”, said Commissioner of Administration Matt Massman. “And, our state contracts for solar, electric vehicle, and charging infrastructure makes it easy for state agencies, cities, counties, schools and higher education campuses to take similar actions at the price negotiated by the state.”

Solar arrays will be installed in five locations: along the hill facing the Capitol building in Cass Gilbert Park, the roofs of the Administration, Stassen and Transportation buildings, and on the roof of the mechanical shed on top of the Minnesota Senate Building. Once all five sites are online, they will provide 2% of the Capitol Complex’s energy usage, surpassing Minnesota’s 2007 Renewable Energy Standard for solar energy production (1.5% by 2020). The panels provide an additional, cost-saving benefit—solar energy production peaks in mid-afternoon, offsetting energy usage when it is most expensive.

The Capitol Complex solar project is part of a range of sustainability initiatives by the Department of Administration, including a Green Lease program, increasing electric vehicles in state fleets, and a recent report tracking progress in six areas, highlighting state successes and improvement opportunities. Many of the improvements originated in the Office of Enterprise Sustainability, led by retired Colonel Larry Herke, who led sustainability efforts at the Minnesota National Guard before joining the Department of Administration.

“Sustainability isn’t just about one project, or making improvements in one area,” said Herke. “It takes a coordinated effort across a range of areas.”

This announcement comes out less than a month after a report from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change called for “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” to prevent the worst effects of climate change. The Capitol Complex solar installation will avoid 467 metric tons of emissions, equivalent to 1,074 barrels of oil per year.

Quick facts about the Capitol Complex Solar Project

• Total # of Panels: 1,750
• Capacity: 825,380-kilowatt hours of electricity per year
• Total Cost: $1,456,390 base contract, $72,819 contingency (5%), for a $1,529,209 total
• Simple Payback: 14 years
• Expected Useful Life: 25 years
• Total Annual Savings: $87,915
• Emissions Saved Each Year: Equivalent to 467 metric tons, or 2.33 rail cars of coal each year
• Emissions Saved Over Lifetime: 11,675 metric tons; 26,851.75 barrels of oil

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For additional information, please contact:
Curt Yoakum, Assistant Commissioner
(651) 201-2771 
curtis.yoakum@state.mn.us