The gardens are part of a larger project which will total approximately 96 MWs in various locations across the state. Xcel Energy, BHE Renewables and Geronimo Energy are working together to bring the project online
In 2013 the Minnesota legislature passed a law requiring utilities to get 1.5 percent of their electricity from solar power by 2020. That law also called for Xcel Energy to create a community solar garden program.
Under the program, private developers set up large solar gardens, or arrays, and sell subscriptions to individuals and organizations.
They are a way for people to buy solar power without installing panels on their homes. Energy companies build the large banks of panels and lease their power output to subscribers, who receive credit on their electricity bills.
“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 of BHE Renewables.
Xcel Energy’s plan is to have nearly 10% of its electricity generated from solar by 2030. The company will also have 262 MWs of large scale solar on line by the end of 2017.
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