Stories

Laying the foundation for solar with Re-Energize Maplewood

Interview with Shann Finwall

Re-Energize Maplewood! was a yearlong initiative intended to increase energy efficiency and solar in the community. The results? Maplewood has laid the groundwork for reshaping their energy future and meeting their ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals. We spoke with Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner, to learn more about the effort.

South St. Paul Schools sets sights on solar

"A great asset and opportunity for years to come!”

Each day over 3,600 students fill the hallways and classrooms of South St. Paul Public Schools, whose mission is to “Ignite a passion in every learner to inquire, continuously improve and engage in positively changing our world.” In January 2019, the school board for the district made a major step forward in continuous improvement and positive change by authorizing district staff to enter into an agreement to consider installing solar panels at Kaposia Elementary.

LED lighting project creates savings to better serve Central Minnesotans

Seed Grant supports Mahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership

"Our Energy Assistance and Weatherization programs help clients with high energy costs reduce their consumption through efficiency projects," shared Dan Josephson, Director of Energy Programs for Mahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership. Last year the agency began an efficiency initiative by having an energy consultant study the potential of retrofitting the lighting in two buildings it owns, and now the savings are paying off.

Are municipal electric vehicle fleets a worthwhile investment?

Connexus Energy teams up with member cities to explore EVs

Municipalities face an important question when they consider switching to electric vehicles (EVs). Which department’s cars should they start with, and is it financially and environmentally worth it? The Municipal Fleet Analysis Project set out to answer this question, with collaboration between Connexus Energy, FleetCarma, and several member municipalities.

Ecolibrium3’s solar garden benefits veterans and families in need

Lincoln Park project will also serve as art gallery & community space

Next year visitors traveling to downtown Duluth will be able to see a solar array producing energy benefitting veterans and low-income families alongside an outdoor art gallery highlighting the Lincoln Park community.

Thermal imaging with drones helps building improvements take off

Also: Automating public building benchmarking with custom software

Warren knows more about the building infrastructure of its community than any other city in the state. Located in northwestern Minnesota, the town of 1,600 used drones to capture thermal imaging to benchmark their community’s buildings. For Warren city officials the focus will now be on how to improve energy efficiency using the state-of-the-art images.