If you are traveling down south to Austin, Minnesota (home of the Spam Museum), be sure to check out their new solar-powered electric vehicle charger!
Partially funded by a CERTs Seed Grant, the system was installed by Austin Utilities with the help of Riverland Community College students. Kelly Lady, Marketing and Energy Services Director with Austin Utilities, noted that the students and faculty were excited to use the metered data from the 1.4 kW solar photovoltaic system in their curriculum.
Based on current usage, Ms. Lady estimated that around 90 vehicles will use the charger during the first year. “This is a highly visible project so it is definitely getting the community’s attention. As the community continues to promote their Austin Downtown Destination project and more electric vehicles come to the area, interest will continue to grow.”
Click here to learn more from a recent CERTs tour and project ribbon cutting ceremony >>
See photos from the event:
Project Snapshot:
- Technology: Solar PV-powered electric vehicle charger
- SE CERT Seed Grant: $3,000
- Total Cost: $16,528
- Estimated Energy Production: 1,843 kwh/yr
- People Reached: 90
Want to learn how your community can get a CERTs Seed Grant to advance your work? Applications for the next round of grants are available and due October 26th. To get started, visit the Seed Grant page and see other awarded projects from past years.
