EQC Meeting Date: September 18th, 2024
To: Environmental Quality Commission
From: Risi Karim, Assistant to the City Administrator / Staff Liaison
Title
Staff Update.
Body
Action Requested:
The EQC receives an update regarding staff activities.
Summary Report:
This update includes items not included as agenda items for this meeting.
• Solar Rooftop Project: Northfield Community Resource Center
The City of Northfield has selected Wolf River Electric as the successful contractor for the solar rooftop project for the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC).
Wolf River Electric is quoting equipment that meets the domestic content bonus from the
Federal Government. If the city qualifies for the state grant and receives the direct Federal payment there would be no out of pocket cost to the city. Total cost of the system is $120,000. Wolf River Electric would install a 45.24 kW DC system that would generate approximately 13% of the buildings energy. The savings for the city would be just over $382,013 for a 30 year period of time. This is on top of the environmental impact the city would see with using additional renewable energy.
Wolf River Electric is a local company based in Isanti MN. For 10 years Wolf River Electric has been installing solar in the upper Midwest.
Wolf River Electric has put together what we believe to be our best offering. This includes the Heliene panels that meet the current regulations for a US manufactured product. Meeting this regulation provides an additional 10% Federal Tax Direct Payment opportunity for the project.
- $120,000 Gross Cash Price. This is a turnkey price that includes all costs associated with the solar project. Including panels, inverters, racking system, trenching, fencing, as well as connections to meters.
- ($72,000) 60% State Grant.
- ($36,000) 30% Federal Tax Direct Payment.
- ($12,000) 10% Federal Tax Direct Payment adder.
This system size is 45.24 kW DC and would cover approximately 63,283 kWh in the first year.
• Business Energy Efficiency Incentives
Staff has begun working with the Energy Smart team through the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to coordinate targeted efforts to assist Northfield Businesses with Energy Efficiency upgrades.
Business owners will have the opportunity to work with Energy Smart to conduct a no-cost energy assessment. Energy Smart offers grants to also assist with owners with the cost of eligible upgrades.
The City is still on track to launch a business energy efficiency rebate this fall that will provide additional assistance to business owners who make energy efficiency upgrades.
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
NA