Coon Rapids Celebrates First Solar Installations with Fire Station 3 Ribbon Cutting

Coon Rapids Celebrates First Solar Installations with Fire Station 3 Ribbon Cutting

COON RAPIDS, MN — The City of Coon Rapids officially marked a milestone in its local government sustainability efforts on Saturday, October 11, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its first solar energy installations on municipal buildings.

The ceremony, which was held outside Fire Station 3 at 3150 111th Avenue NW, celebrated the installation of solar panels on the roof of the fire station and the West Water Treatment Plant. The event coincided with the Fire Department's annual Open House, which welcomed the community to the facility.

The installation project was significantly financed through a grant program, with the City receiving over $100,000 from the Minnesota Department of Commerce "Solar on Public Buildings Program." This funding, combined with federal tax credits from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, covered approximately 90% of the total cost for both solar array systems.

The solar panels installed at Fire Station 3 are projected to generate about 67,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, which is expected to cover roughly one-third of the building's yearly energy consumption. The solar array at the West Water Treatment Plant is estimated to produce 27,000 kWh each year.

The solar panels were installed by Cedar Creek Energy late this summer. This project is a key initiative in the City's broader Energy Action Plan, which aims to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030. Coon Rapids is one of 18 local governments in the state to receive grants for solar power installation in 2025.

MinneapoliMedia