Project Details:Top

Utility Name:	East Grand Forks Public Utility
Utility Type:	Muni
Funding Source(s):	Unknown Funding Source
State:	Minnesota | MN
Region:	Central
Utility Program(s):	Off-Grid Applications (communications, lighting, pumping, etc)
Technology:	PV

Project Description:Top

East Grand Forks Public Utility in Minnesota installed 19 solar-powered street lights on a bike path as part of the city`s Greenway Project in May 2003. The path runs for roughly one mile along a river front. The area was severely damaged by a flood in 1997. The money used to build the bike path was part of a $2 million grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to repair infrastructure in the area.

PV-powered street lights were a lower cost solution than a traditional line extension. The area is a flood plain, which increased the installation cost for a traditional line extension and East Grand Forks would have had to self-insure the lines. Furthermore, traditional hardwired lights would have to be removed during extreme weather conditions by line workers, which typically have more pressing projects during bad weather conditions. Taking this into consideration, as well as wanting to publicly exhibit examples of renewable energy, led to the utility's decision to install solar lighting.

East Grand Forks turned to the Western Public Power Authority to gain a working knowledge of purchasing and installing PV systems and found engineers and installers through the internet.

The original units the utility ordered from Solar Outdoor Lighting, Inc were undersized. They used 80 watt, flat-mounted PV panels and batteries that stored only enough energy to run the lights for five hours each night and only during the summer months. A second battery was added along with a bracket to tilt the array at a 45-degree angle facing south to increase lighting to six hours each night year around, which provides a service not only to summer bikers but also winter cross-country skiers. Additionally, the solar lights can be removed by city workers during extreme weather, which frees up the time of the line crews.

Project Links:Top

General Project Description: http://www.wapa.gov/es/pubs/esb/2003/03Aug/esb083.htm

Photos: http://www.ci.east-grand-forks.mn.us/wl/green/solar1.htm

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