The City of Rochester, Minnesota, and Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) have each been awarded funding to install new solar energy systems on the rooftops of their facilities through the Minnesota Solar on Public Buildings Program.
Through the state program, both the city and RPU will receive a combination of grant funding and direct pay federal tax credits to cover the full cost of each solar installation. The initiative empowers Rochester to achieve its broader clean energy goals while reducing cost pressures.
According to the American Public Power Association, a 55.2 kW DC roof-mounted solar array will be installed at the RPU Service Center by Summer 2026; the project’s total cost is estimated at $130,000.
“This system expands RPU’s renewable energy portfolio and represents another step in advancing toward our community’s goal of achieving 100% net renewable electricity by 2030,” said James Dessner, RPU Manager of Utility Fleet and Facility Services, in a statement. “By investing in solar, we’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and making progress in a fiscally responsible way.”
Similarly, a 55.2 kW DC roof-mounted solar system will be built atop the Rochester Police Department North Precinct/Development Services & Infrastructure Center (DSIC), with construction beginning in 2025. The system will offset approximately 15% of the shared energy usage of the two facilities.
The projects align with Rochester’s sustainability goals, including RPU’s target of achieving 100% net renewable energy by 2030. Grants and tax credit funding through the program are helping the city and RPU make impactful investments while minimizing costs for residents.
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