The solar thermal showcase atop the Saint Paul RiverCentre’s roof features 144 large-scale, high performance collectors, covering roughly half the size of a football field. The system anticipated peak production of just over 1 MW. District Energy’s high-performing collectors generate hot water to be used for space heating and domestic hot water in the RiverCentre. Once the building’s heating needs are met, the system exports excess solar energy to the hot water distribution network serving downtown Saint Paul. This makes this installation the first in the United States to take solar thermal energy from one building and export it for use in other buildings through our existing district system. 

The project was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Communities program and a partnership with the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul RiverCentre. District Energy provided matching funds in order to fulfill the company’s historic solar aspirations and move the utility one step closer to 100 percent renewable energy sources.

• The largest solar thermal project in the Upper Midwest, funded to promote market transformation for solar through a large-scale, replicable installation.
• The first solar thermal project in North American to export energy to additional buildings.
• Produces an estimated 1 megawatt of peak energy production and an estimated 1200 megawatt-hours each year (equivalent to the heating needs of 50 homes).
• Lowers the carbon footprint for the District Energy system by 900,000 pounds per year, the equivalent of removing 90 cars from the road each year.
• The showcase offers great visibility to solar and renewables in Minnesota since the installation is visible from within the neighboring Science Museum of Minnesota and the sidewalk of Kellogg Boulevard. As well as to the thousands of visitors to the Saint Paul RiverCentre each year.

Partners:

• City of Saint Paul
• Department of Energy
• District Energy St. Paul
• Saint Paul RiverCentre