Because the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is committed to protecting the environment and preserving resources, the SMSC Fire Station, built in 2002 but renovated extensively in 2008, features three major, environmentally significant technologies: daylight harvesting, solar panels, and a bioretention site.

Daylight Harvesting

Daylight harvesting uses light coming naturally from the sun to save energy. Special sensors adjust light levels based on the amount of ambient light present. When there’s enough natural light coming in, special sensors shut the lights off, thus saving energy.

• All of the new offices have ample daylight to help reduce the electrical costs. 
• Four skylights let in more light to the bays and training area resulting in reduced energy costs in the form of lighting. Two skylights over the training room are five feet by 10 feet. Two skylights over the apparatus bays are five feet by 20 feet.
• Clerestory windows (set high or near the ceiling) let in more natural light than traditional windows.

Solar Panels

The building also incorporates the use of solar thermal technology, also called solar panels, to capture the sun’s heat to preheat water for various building uses. Six model SS-40 solar panels, manufactured by Solar Skies in Starbuck, Minnesota, atop the roof are four feet by 10 feet in size and weigh 153 pounds each.

With a 1.22 gallon fluid capacity, they circulate a 30% propylene glycol /70% distilled and conditioned water mix at about 30 psi in a drain back system. Production of the system annually is approximately 400 therms, which offsets about 500 therms when connected to an 80% efficient hot water heater. 

The six solar panels reduce the natural gas load required for the traditional water heating system. Preheated water is used for showers and washing trucks, which reduces the cost of natural gas needed. The solar panels provide substantial energy savings over the long run. The high visibility of the solar panels on the fire station roof demonstrates the Community’s commitment as a caretaker of the earth.

Bio-retention Site

The third environmentally significant technology is a bio-retention site, also known as a rain garden. Specifically designed to soak up rainwater that falls on a roof, driveway, or other solid surface, the rain garden also serves to filter the water before it goes into the storm sewer pond. Installed and planted in September 2008, the roughly 700 square feet rain garden at the fire station contains three types of growing media: 50% sand; 25% compost; and 25% topsoil (with less than 5% clay).

The bio-retention site contains a total of 220 plants, all of which are native to Minnesota and include:

• Acer freemannii (Maple 'autumn blaze')
• Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)
• Betula nigra (Riverbirch)
• Cornus sericea (Dogwood 'isanti')
• Echinacea (coneflower 'Kims knee high')
• Gaillardia aristata (Blanket flower bijou")
• Heuchera richardsonii (Coral bells 'lime rickey')
• Juncus effuses (Soft rush)
• Liatris pycnostachya (Liatris)
• Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower 'Queen Victoria')
• Rudbeckia fulgida (Black eyed Susan 'Goldstrum')
• Tradescantia x andersoniana 'blue n' gold'  (Sweet Kate gold spiderwort)
• Allium Prairie (Onion)
• Asclepias tuberose (Butterfly weed)
• Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell)
• Chamaecrista fasciculate (Partridge pea)
• Eupatorium maculatum (Joe Pye weed)
• Penstemon digitalis (Bearded foxglove)