The sun is back, even though the roof is still on.

Before the downtown Mankato Place was enclosed as a mall during urban renewal in the 1970s, the sun shined down on the storefronts.

Now the largest solar collection system in southern Minnesota has been installed on Mankato Place. Besides the more traditional solar panels that provide electricity, several of the offices and the commons area have new high-tech skylights that provide enough light to often eliminate the need for other lighting.

“As our electric bills continue to climb, it just makes sense,” said Gordon Awsumb of Awsumb & Associates, who redeveloped the 18,000-square-foot mall as it went from a retail mall to office and entertainment center.

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