Solar power for the new Vikings stadium?
Builders of the new Vikings stadium took their show on the road to Duluth. They offered an update and took questions and suggestions at Wednesday's event. Among them, according to WDIO: let the sun power the place.
An executive from Allete Clean Energy suggested that the builders put Iron Range-based Silicon Energy photovoltaic panels atop the new sports palace. (The north side of the stadium's roof is NOT the transparent ETFE material that is supposed to make the new building famous.)
Silicon Energy claims to have "one of the strongest, safest, most durable, and longest lasting modules on the market and it is made in the USA." Its plant is in Mountain Iron, Minn.
Stadium builders demurred on the rooftop plan, although they left open the possibility that, like the plans for the Lowertown Ballpark in St. Paul, the stadium could get some renewable energy from a parking facility or some other structure nearby.
WDIO also reported Duluth City Councilor Howie Hanson urged the Vikings consider moving their training camp to Duluth. Team vice president Lester Bagley said the team has a long commitment to Mankato that "would be tough to top."
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