West Central Telephone/Zenergy

The Menahga community and all renewable energy enthusiasts are invited to get an inside look at several different solar energy systems installed at West Central Telephone’s new office  building in Menahga, MN, during an Open House that is part of the Minnesota Solar Tour on Saturday, October 2. 

West Central Telephone has a goal of making the Menahga Office a “zero energy building” which means it makes as much energy as it uses.  Solar energy systems installed to reach this goal include:

•    A  RREAL solar thermal air furnace
•    a Solar Skies solar thermal water heating system  
•    a 3.44 kW pole-mounted tracking PV array with a Fronius inverter
•    a 3.44 kW pole-mounted tracking PV array with Enphase micro-inverters
•    a 4.68 kW fixed PV array with bi-facial panels over the outdoor public Wi-Fi green space.

The two solar thermal systems will offset approximately 27% of the building’s heating needs and the PV over 86% of the electricity needs.  With a USDA grant the project will pay for itself in 8.5 years.  There are additional grants and rebates available to residents and small businesses.