Go green

Install solar in 2021

If you’ve ever considered installing solar panels on your home or business, 2021 is the year! The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows you to deduct a percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes. The 2020 tax deduction of 26% has been extended through 2022, and at the same time the city has launched a new pilot cost share program called Solar Sundown. Under Solar Sundown, the city will fund the 4% difference between the 2021 ITC and the 2019 ITC, allowing property owners to receive a 30% credit on their solar investment. Solar arrays must be installed in 2021 and operational by Dec. 31, 2021.

The goal of the Solar Sundown program is to double the amount of rooftop solar in the city by year-end, bringing St. Louis Park closer to meeting our Climate Action Plan goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030. To see if your home is a good fit for solar, learn more about solar financing and installation, and to find out if your property is located in an area where it qualifies for additional cost share funds, visit www.stlouispark.org/solar. For updates on the Solar Sundown pilot program, sign up for the city’s Climate Action Plan updates at www.stlouispark.org/sign-up.

Funding available for landscaping projects

It’s not too early to start thinking about spring landscaping projects that can help manage stormwater. The city’s Rainwater Rewards program offers funding and technical guidance to residential property owners who install projects that do at least one of the following:

• Protect and restore stormwater by capturing pollutants in rainwater runoff • Increase the watershed’s ability to store water • Preserve and restore native plant and wildlife communities • Protect and preserve groundwater quality and quantity

Project examples include rain gardens, tree plantings, rain barrels, permeable pavement, green roofs and other innovative stormwater management practices. Program benefits include cost share, guidance with management practices, selecting designers and contractors, and future planning. The program is available to residential properties in St. Louis Park. Applications are accepted year-round while funding remains.

To learn more, visit www.stlouispark.org/rainwater-rewards, or contact Erick Francis, water resources manager, at efrancis@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2690.

Annual tree sale underway

The tree sale started March 1 and will continue until trees sell out. Visit treetrust.org/get-a-tree to order. Tree distribution dates are Saturday, May 1, 8 a.m. – noon and Monday, May 3, 5 – 7 p.m. at the Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St. If you miss the spring tree sale, look for the fall tree sale. Only three trees total may be ordered between the spring and fall sales.

Paper shredding events

Creekside Park, 7341 Oxford St. These free events are for St. Louis Park residents and will be separate from the city cleanups, which will NOT offer paper shredding. Visit www.stlouispark.org/cleanup for additional information.

• Residents may bring up to five grocery bags worth of paper.

Please DO NOT use lawn/leaf bags. • Remove all binder clips and metal spiral bindings. Staples are

OK. • No credit cards, Tyvek envelopes, photo paper or negatives.

The paper shredded at the events will be recycled, and these items are contaminants. • No newspapers or magazines. These items can be placed in your regular recycling. DAYs DATEs+TIMEs

Sa April 10, 9 a.m. – noon W June 9, 8 a.m. – noon Tu Sept. 14, noon – 4 p.m.

Celebrate Arbor Day

Bass Lake Preserve, south side Meet at Bass Lake tennis courts Join the 2021 Arbor Day celebration by helping plant 75 diverse trees along the southern trail section of Bass Lake Preserve, where the city recently removed many trees infested with emerald ash borer. Visit www.treetrust.org/volunteer to register. DAY DATE+TIME

Sa May 15, 9 a.m. – noon

Gardener’s swap

Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC), 3700 Monterey Drive Mark your calendar for the city’s annual gardener’s swap! This free event is open to everyone and is a great opportunity to share extra plants or clear out gardening tools you no longer use, then take home new treasures. No items may be sold. Don’t bring chemicals or broken items. Also, to reduce the spread of invasive plants, certain perennials will not be allowed. Visit www.stlouispark.org/waste-reduction for more information, including a detailed list of acceptable items. DAY DATE+TIME

Th May 20, 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Order a discounted rain barrel

The Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) has partnered with the city to provide rain barrels to St. Louis Park residents at 50% off the regular price of $79. Order online at www. recycleminnesota.org and use promo code “stlouispark” to receive the discount.

Preordered rain barrels should be picked up Saturday, May 1, 8 a.m. – noon or Monday, May 3, 5 – 7 p.m. at the Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St.