With energy savings projected to be in excess of $400,000 over the next 40 years, the City of Lindstrom, located northeast of the Twin Cities, commissioned threesolar photovoltaic (PV) systems on three city buildings: the Public Works building, City Hall, and the Municipal Liquor store.

PowerfullyGreen, a NABCEP certified solar installer and leader in the local Minnesotasolar industry, installed the solar systems, which utilize Silicon Energy PV modules made locally in Mountain Iron, MN.

Thanks to a financing program offered with Silicon Energy's PV modules, the project benefits from federal solar incentives, which help to reduce the cost of the solar systems.

The three installations total 69 kW and will offset approximately 23% of the electricity used in the buildings. This results in lower utility costs and saves money for the taxpayers of Lindstrom.

Lindstrom officials selected Silicon Energy's photovoltaic system due to its proven durability, flexible design options and demonstrated field performance.

The Municipal Liquor store installation showcases this design flexibility with a highly visible 11-module awning built onto the side of the building that will serve as the city's solar showpiece.

"Citywide solar projects like the one being completed in Lindstrom are exciting because they offer economic benefits to taxpayers in the form of lower energy costs and increase awareness of clean energy alternatives," said Gary Shaver, president of Silicon Energy.

"With the backing of local officials and the support of their communities, we expect to install more solar projects of this nature in the coming years, continuing to demonstrate the viability of solar as a mainstream energy source and showcase the economic benefits for Minnesota and the nation."

Powerfully Green currently has a number of other similar solar projects in Minnesota under development in conjunction with Silicon Energy. Several projects are scheduled for construction before the end of 2012 and others are being developed for 2013.