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3.1 -HANDOUT PROVIDED AT MEETING BY AMANDA BEDNAR <br /> Solar Picnic Table <br /> wm <br /> C�ryot UNIVERSITY ER���T y NO <br /> of ST.Z'HtJMASC...--------„rNAGYCITYI l ♦ eL MINNLSOrA ^,,,z <br /> The City of Elk River and the Energy City Commission are seeking funding for the construction and <br /> installation of a solar powered picnic table. Elk River was designated as Energy City in 1997 for the state <br /> of Minnesota and continues to be a leader in energy efficiency and education. The solar panels, battery <br /> and design were completed via a partnership with the University of St.Thomas (UST) Sustainable <br /> Communities Partnership between local cities and UST courses focused on sustainability. The picnic <br /> table will be installed at Orono Park near the beach and will provide a very public solar demonstration <br /> site for our residents. Funding is still needed for the construction of the picnic table and installation of <br /> the solar panels. <br /> This location will draw in residents and allow them to see up close the benefits of solar power.The <br /> design allows residents to plug in their personal devices to charge while enjoying the park.The table <br /> includes a clear top allowing people to see the batteries and internal components of the solar power <br /> system. As Energy City, Elk River provides numerous educational tours throughout the year to various <br /> city sites. This solar demonstration project would add to our sites and provide a simple,tangible <br /> example of how solar power works.The solar panel picnic table will be a highly visible demonstration <br /> site in a public location, providing constant education and outreach to our residents. <br /> The students at St. Thomas created the design plan as well as built and tested a fully functional <br /> prototype of the electrical system and solar panels. Elk River owns all the panels, batteries, design <br /> details and technical drawings. What we need now is the physical structure.The picnic table requires <br /> cement footings strong enough to old the added weight of the panels. We also need the physical table, <br /> panel installation and electrical connection to be complete. We are planning to complete construction in <br /> 2019. <br />