Robbinsdale Residents See Benefits from City’s Energy Action Plan
As the sun beats down in Robbinsdale, one neighborhood is now reaping its benefits.
On Tuesday, Blue Raven Solar crews installed solar panels on the roof of two neighborhood houses. Project manager Tim Rothman said that is no coincidence.
“There are a lot of incentives out there for solar nowadays,” Rothman said. “This is our busiest year yet and a lot of that has to do with the government.”
At the federal level, the residential clean energy credit takes 30 percent off the solar panel installation cost.
And of last spring, Robbinsdale residents have fewer hoops to jump through when obtaining permits for solar panels. The city wanted to make it easier for families to access renewable energy.
A worker installs solar panels on the roof of a Robbinsdale home.
“I’m excited about that,” said Robbinsale Mayor Bill Blonigan.
Blonigan has been a climate and renewable energy advocate for years. He too recently installed solar panels on his home.
Robbinsdale’s Energy Action Plan
Blonigan said the encouragement of solar falls into the city’s Energy Action Plan, which aims to significantly drop Robbinsdale’s energy usage by 2030.
“If we can do it by 30 percent, Robbinsdale electricity payers will save $1.3 million,” Blonigan said.
He said this renewed focus helps the planet. For families, it also could be helpful for their wallets– panels typically last 30 years.
“It pays for itself on average in about eight years, putting in the solar panels. And its all gravy after that,” Blonigan said.
Rothman said right now, costs are similar to a monthly energy bill. But as energy payments likely increase, solar panel payments will not.
“They’re generally going to be paying right about on or about what they’re paying for their electric bill. Some people call it a ‘bill swap.’ Instead of paying their electric now, they’re paying for the system,” Rothman said.
