Solar Gardens Growing In Northfield, Other Minnesota Towns

A new community solar garden in Northfield is now generating power from the Minnesota sun. In total, there are seven new community solar gardens in the state, totaling 32 megawatts.

The solar gardens are part of a larger project that will total approximately 96 megawatts throughout the Twin Cities metro area and greater Minnesota. Xcel Energy, BHE Renewables and Geronimo Energy are working together to bring the project online, giving Xcel Energy customers more solar energy options.

“We’re proud to work with dedicated partners as we bring more solar energy options to our customers,” Christopher Clark, president, Xcel Energy – Minnesota, said in a statement. “Xcel Energy is on a path to deliver a third of our energy from renewables by 2030, and solar plays a role in achieving this ambitious goal.”

The seven new gardens will produce between three to five megawatts of electricity for use by all Xcel Energy customers. Geronimo Energy developed the gardens listed below, which are now owned and operated by BHE Renewables:

• Northfield Community Solar Gardens, LLC - 5 MW 2300 North Ave, Northfield, MN 55057
• Rosemount Community Solar Gardens, LLC - 5 MW 2505 160th St E, Rosemount, MN 55068
• Ursa Community Solar Gardens, LLC - 5 MW 1650 190th St. W., Farmington, MN 55024
• Sunrise Community Solar Gardens, LLC - 5 MW 36320 Kost Trail, North Branch. MN 55056
• Chisago Community Solar Gardens, LCC - 4 MW 1152 Furuby Rd, Taylor Falls, MN 55084
• Paynesville Community Solar Gardens, LLC - 5 MW 18982 293rd Ave, Paynesville, MN 56362
• Orion Community Solar Gardens, LLC - 3 MW 14008 Fruit Farm Rd., St. Joseph, MN 56374

Xcel officials say community solar gardens reflect Minnesota’s "growing commitment to renewable energy."

The solar gardens are an alternative to private solar panels; residents, business owners, nonprofits and municipalities may purchase subscriptions to a solar garden without having to install solar panels on their own roof or property.

Subscribers receive credit on their bills for the power their panels produce, according to a news release.

“The solar garden sites are moving forward because of the many people and organizations that have strongly supported them,” said Richard Weech, senior vice president and chief financial officer, BHE Renewables. “We believe subscriber-based programs will be an important component of the clean energy future for Minnesota and will have a positive impact on the state’s economy and environmental footprint.”

"Geronimo Energy is proud to be investing in our home state through Xcel Energy's Minnesota Solar*Rewards Community program," said Blake Nixon, president, Geronimo Energy. "With over one million solar panels in operation or currently being installed in Minnesota, we are pleased that our projects have created new jobs and positive local economic impacts, such as landowner payments and increased tax revenue."

Xcel Energy says it currently has 57 megawatts of community solar gardens online at 17 project sites as part of its Solar Rewards Community program. Using the Solar Rewards program, Xcel Energy customers purchase a subscription to a solar garden in exchange for a credit on their monthly bill.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the program in early 2014 to improve access to renewable energy for businesses and residences in Minnesota.

Xcel Energy’s plan is to have nearly 10 percent of its electricity generated from solar by 2030. The company says it will also have 262 megawatts of large scale solar on line by the end of 2017.

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