Energy used to power the park system’s facilities comes primarily from Xcel Energy. MPRB has partnered with Xcel to ensure that 100% of the electrical energy we purchase for our recreation center sites comes from wind sources as of 2021. This portion of MPRB’s electrical energy consumption comes from certified renewable sources. This effort furthers ongoing MPRB work to reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate our contribution to global warming.

In addition, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) operates eight photovoltaic solar power installations on various park facilities.

This 2017 video features five of those installations, which received substantial project funding from Xcel Energy customers through a grant from Xcel’s Renewable Development Fund:

Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund Projects

The following projects received substantial funding from Xcel Energy customers through a Renewable Development Fund grant. MPRB partnered by providing taxpayer funding from the MPRB Sustainability Fund and General Operating Fund.

solar panels on roof of Parade Ice Garden

Parade Ice Garden

  • Installation Type: Roof mount
  • Size: 374 panels, 153 kW
  • Estimated annual production: 184,000 kWh
  • Project operational: 2015

solar panel array at Lake Nokomis Main Beach

Lake Nokomis Main Beach

  • Installation type: Shade structure
  • Size: 18 panels, 7.4 kW
  • Estimated annual kWh production: 10,348 kWh
  • Project operational: 2017

solar panels shown on roof of building powering Webber Natural Swimming Pool

Webber Natural Swimming Pool

  • Installation type: Roof mount
  • Size: 16 panels, 4.6 kW
  • Estimated annual kWh production: 6,433 kWh
  • Project operational: 2016

East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center exterior with wall solar panels

East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center

  • Installation type: Wall mount
  • Size: 21 solar panels, 6.5 kW
  • Estimated annual kWh production: 9,089 kWh
  • Project operational: 2016

workers installing solar panels on roof of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center

  • Installation type: Roof mount
  • Size: 20 panels, 6.2 kW
  • Estimated annual kWh production: 8,670 kWh
  • Project operational: 2016