The Bemidji Planning & Zoning Board is progressing forward with the installation new solar panels around town. In a recent ChatAbout podcast episode, planning & zoning director Jamin Carlson discussed the details and benefits of these new power sources.
According to Carlson, the board was notified back in November of the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings grant program. These grants provide funding for local governments to install solar energy systems on publicly owned buildings.
After receiving a grant, five buildings in Bemidji were approved to have solar panels installed on them. The water treatment plant, Neilson Fieldhouse and its warming house, the Sanford Center, and Fire Station 2 were all selected as viable sites. 
The water treatment plant was built with solar panels in mind, so it already has its solar panels up and running. However, the other buildings are currently under construction to make sure everything is connected so the power is transferred properly.
These solar panels will benefit the entire city. According to Carlson, whatever energy isn’t used by the building will be sent to the grid as a net gain. To hear more details about the new solar panels listen here:
To hear the entire ChatAbout Podcast go to 06-08 PLANNING ON IT: Bemidji Planning & Zoning Director Jamin Carlson Talks Projects & Solar Panels – Bemidji Now.
 
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