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Solar Energy
Commitment
The solar array at St. John's is the first highly visible step in achieving carbon neutrality. It demonstrates our commitment to the American College and Universities President's Climate Commitment and to the Benedictine Value of stewardship. St. John's hopes this large scale experiment will pave the way for clean energy in Minnesota.
Education
The solar panels will be used both by Environmental Studies students and by the Arboretum, which plans to develop a class for elementary school students.
Minimal impact
About 80% of the land will not be disturbed and native prairie grasses will be planted around the panels.
Scope
With 1,820 modules on 3.9 acres, the solar array will produce 575,000 kWh annually. The solar farm will produce 4% of St. John's energy needs on an annual basis, but will produce up to 20% of in perfect conditions. In order to be more efficient, the panels will track the sun, gaining 15% more power. The farm was made possible by a 2 million dollar grant from Xcel energy's Renewable Development Fund and by Westwood Renewables. When it is completed in late November, the St. John's solar array will 4 times bigger than the current largest array in Minnesota.