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3.1 ERMUSR HANDOUT 08-14-2018 3.1 -HANDOUT PROVIDED AT MEETING BY AMANDA BEDNAR Solar Picnic Table wm C�ryot UNIVERSITY ER���T y NO of ST.Z'HtJMASC...--------„rNAGYCITYI l ♦ eL MINNLSOrA ^,,,z The City of Elk River and the Energy City Commission are seeking funding for the construction and installation of a solar powered picnic table. Elk River was designated as Energy City in 1997 for the state of Minnesota and continues to be a leader in energy efficiency and education. The solar panels, battery and design were completed via a partnership with the University of St.Thomas (UST) Sustainable Communities Partnership between local cities and UST courses focused on sustainability. The picnic table will be installed at Orono Park near the beach and will provide a very public solar demonstration site for our residents. Funding is still needed for the construction of the picnic table and installation of the solar panels. This location will draw in residents and allow them to see up close the benefits of solar power.The design allows residents to plug in their personal devices to charge while enjoying the park.The table includes a clear top allowing people to see the batteries and internal components of the solar power system. As Energy City, Elk River provides numerous educational tours throughout the year to various city sites. This solar demonstration project would add to our sites and provide a simple,tangible example of how solar power works.The solar panel picnic table will be a highly visible demonstration site in a public location, providing constant education and outreach to our residents. The students at St. Thomas created the design plan as well as built and tested a fully functional prototype of the electrical system and solar panels. Elk River owns all the panels, batteries, design details and technical drawings. What we need now is the physical structure.The picnic table requires cement footings strong enough to old the added weight of the panels. We also need the physical table, panel installation and electrical connection to be complete. We are planning to complete construction in 2019. 3.1 -HANDOUT PROVIDED AT MEETING BY AMANDA BEDNAR Solar Picnic Table Is. 11aa -` it 3J I ■IU•I■A ■■ $1121r4"' a - - tai■ ■ll a■a iso d ■ �4,.. fiedlicalmelal alIlIllkir conduit from panels totrox Elec tical outlets .. ilitSikii Table wMN malntanance Kies door M at.15144`./.34 for support �. columns p t "i Figure 70: Full view of the physical structure showing the load bearing posts in the metal sleeves. eit a a d 4 P • • L , _____, .#, , ),,. v.' ...,. .'„ j W Q i � -., -7, 4..1' ,,, . Al ,,_ Itl LAKE ORONOt , fD p Proposed ,a ta ,_, El ° 3 site for , sJass C T , • the is 4 ' Ai % aat © "PARK - / - i. 40;. • www EtkRSaerMN gavlparksandre: � -� -� .i