Solar power shines on Chanhassen's new City Hall
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Chanhassen’s new City Hall isn’t just a symbol of civic progress— it’s now producing its own clean energy. Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings program, a rooftop solar array will be installed with the project, helping the city cut energy costs and reduce its carbon footprint. The system, made up of 110 high-efficiency panels, is expected to generate just over 70,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in its first year—enough to offset roughly a quarter of the building’s power use. That means lower utility costs today and significant savings in the decades ahead.
The project was funded through a mix of state and federal programs that covered 80 percent of the cost, leaving the city to pay just 20 percent. Over 25 years, the electrical savings are projected to add up to more than $225,000. This investment reflects what residents have long supported: smart, cost-effective solutions that benefit both the community and the environment. By installing solar from the start, Chanhassen is leading by example and showing what it means to build a City Hall designed for the future.
Smart Salting in our Community
CHAN 101:
Safety First When winter arrives in Minnesota, keeping roads safe is a top priority. But in Chanhassen, safety goes hand-in-hand with protecting the environment. The city uses a calibrated, technology- driven approach to salt application that keeps traffic moving while minimizing the impact on local lakes, streams and wetlands. Instead of blanketing every road with salt, Public Works crews focus on priority routes—main thoroughfares, emergency access points and steep grades—where traction matters most. Lower- priority residential streets receive less or no salt unless conditions call for it. The goal isn’t to achieve perfectly bare pavement, but to use the lowest effective amount needed to keep drivers safe. Modern Equipment Advanced equipment plays a big role. Each salt truck is fitted with computer-controlled spreaders calibrated before the season
begins to ensure accuracy down to the pound per lane mile. Operators can adjust the application rate from inside the cab, fine-tuning for road surface temperature (measured with on-board infrared sensors), the type of precipitation falling and current traffic volume. The system can also pre-wet salt with a brine solution so it sticks to the pavement and works faster, further
reducing the amount needed. Data Driven Decisions
Staff monitor road conditions in real time, both through field observations and updates from Carver County Sheriff’s deputies. They also use the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Winter Maintenance Assessment Tool to track salt usage, route priorities and post-storm evaluations—data that improves both immediate decision-making and future operations. The results: reduced overall salt use, consistently safe main routes and cleaner local water resources.
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CITY OF CHANHASSEN | WINTER 2025
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