BEMIDJI 鈥� On a perfectly sunny day well suited to the occasion, community members and city officials gathered on Monday to celebrate the new array of solar panels on the Tourist Information Center.
The solar panels, 56 of them in total, sit on the south side of the Tourist Information Center鈥檚 roof, and they鈥檝e been producing energy for a little over two months.
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鈥淭his solar array represents the very first array installed on a city-owned building,鈥� shared Mayor Jorge Prince, but he emphasized that they would not be the last.
In fact, the city is planning to install a solar array on the second phase of the Water Treatment Plant, a project that鈥檚 still in process.
The TIC鈥檚 solar array was first approved by the city in July 2022 and was installed by Real Solar for a total cost of $77,851. With a rebate by Otter Tail Power, a check was signed to the city and presented during Monday鈥檚 celebration for $30,744.
With the numbers received since the panels began operation, they鈥檝e more than met the building鈥檚 electricity needs and have produced an additional 1.9 megawatts that have been transferred back to the broader power grid.
Exporting additional power has also netted additional money for the city, with it having received its first check for $300.
The panels also represent 3.3 tons of reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, which a city newsletter shared is equivalent to planting 55 trees.
鈥淭hese are really important metrics,鈥� Prince said. 鈥淭he return on investment is astoundingly clear for us all.鈥�
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But more than just the numbers, the solar panels also serve as a symbol and an example for the future of Bemidji.
鈥淭he panels that are on this building are a thought I had a long time ago,鈥� said At-Large Councilor Audrey Thayer, who helped push for the panels. 鈥淚 wanted to see city buildings with solar panels, so we start living and walking the way we believe.鈥�
For Thayer, it鈥檚 important to set an example for sustainability as the first city on the Mississippi River, and the solar panels are a start to that.
鈥淲e need to look at what we can do at the head of the Mississippi,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ustainability is a part of that.鈥�
Beyond serving as an example for other communities, the city officials also expressed a hope that the TIC鈥檚 solar panels would be an inspiration for businesses and homeowners in Bemidji.
鈥淚t really is such a great project to showcase how solar can support this building,鈥� shared Marcia Larson, who helped manage the project as the city鈥檚 director of Parks and Recreation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something you can do on your house, you can imagine it on any building or business.鈥�
The celebration also recognized those who have pioneered solar energy in Bemidji before this project, namely Harmony Food Co-op which installed its array in 2014 and was the first business in the area to do so. Harmony Food Co-op also catered for Monday鈥檚 event.
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While city officials shared that there鈥檚 still work to be done to improve Bemidji鈥檚 sustainability, they reiterated their commitment to the task and their joy to be able to celebrate the progress made so far.
鈥淎lthough we still have work to do, these are important first steps,鈥� Prince said. 鈥淲e remain committed to a sustainable future for all, and clean energy is an important part of that commitment.鈥�
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