Dive Brief:
- Minnesota regulators have approved what is expected to become the largest solar array in the state, a 100 MW project which will supply power to Xcel Energy from 21 locations around the state.
- Geronimo Energy is developing the $250 million project, which is expected to be online next year.
- The Star Tribune points out that it is the first large solar project Minnesota has approved, but because of the state's new mandate requiring utilities to source 1.5% of their power from solar facilities more projects are anticipated.
Dive Insight:
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted 3-0 yesterday to approve the Aurora Distributed Solar Project, which will use 21 sites to generate 100 MW for Xcel Energy.
The project was floated with approximately 25 sites in mind, but regulators nixed several because of proximity to homes or due to planned development. The solar arrays will range in size from 2 MW to 10 MW.
Xcel has been pushing renewable energy in Minnesota. Earlier this year the utility proposed more than doubling its renewable energy portfolio in the state and slashing carbon emissions, with an aggressive 40% reduction targeted for 2030. Designed in anticipation of federal carbon regulations, Xcel's plan includes adding 187 MW of large-scale solar energy by the end of 2016 and an additional 1,700 MW of large-scale solar and 500 MW of customer-driven small-scale solar.
And late last year the utility began taking applications from community solar projects as part of its "Solar Rewards Community" program, allowing customers who cannot install rooftop panels to take part in solar generation.