Savings from solar

City News October 2, 2026

Using a State of Minnesota grant to cover 70% of the costs, the City of Albert Lea is completing installation of rooftop solar panels on four of its facilities:

• Public Works building
• City Hall (photo above)
• Fire Station
• Main Wastewater Lift Station

Combined, the four solar installations will save a total of nearly $25,000 in electrical costs in their first year of operation. Over their life expectancy of 30 years, the total savings are estimated at $1 million.

The reductions in energy use are estimated at 10% for the lift station, 19% for City Hall, 43% for the Fire Station and 61% for Public Works.

The grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings Program provided $377,485 of the cost with the city applying for federal funding to cover the remaining $161,778. That would be a net cost of zero for the city.