The Aurora solar park consists of 16 PV plants across Minnesota. Aurora can generate approximately 210 million kWh annually, equivalent to the energy consumption needs of over 17,000 U.S. households.
“The completion of Aurora is another major milestone in our continued strong growth in the U.S.,” said Rafael Gonzalez, head of Enel Green Power North America. “We are proud to be a part of growing Minnesota’s energy economy through maximizing the utility-scale distributed solar model. This model, which we have implemented through the Aurora solar plant, consists of the installation of multiple small-scale solar sites to supply green energy to communities across the state, and furthers our ‘open power’ approach to open energy access to more people, new technologies and new uses. The innovative design of Aurora highlights how renewables can provide both sustainable, reliable energy to communities while delivering significant environmental benefits and economic value.”
The utility-scale distributed solar model delivers a range of benefits, including a reduction in line loss and elimination of transmission costs due to geographic proximity of the different communities served as well as geographic diversification of renewable energy generation assets. Each of the 16 solar facilities utilizes linear axis trackers to maximize efficiency and production, and delivers green energy to the off-taker’s distribution system.
“Xcel Energy is pleased that the Aurora solar project is now delivering clean, renewable energy to our customers and it plays a big role in our goal to be 63 % carbon free by 2030,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota. “We are on a path that more than doubles wind and solar energy options for our customers, and as we've learned to effectively integrate wind on to our system, we look forward to doing the same with solar.”
The Aurora solar park increased EGP-NA’s total installed capacity in Minnesota to 380 MW. EGP-NA already owns and operates two wind farms in the state, Prairie Rose (200 MW) and Minnesota Wind (30 MW). Aurora is EGP-NA’s third PV solar project built in the U.S., in addition to the existing solar facilities of Stillwater in Nevada and Sheldon Springs in Vermont.
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