Colorado-based SunShare and Minnesota-based construction firm Mortenson have formed a partnership to develop and build solar gardens in Minnesota.
The deal comes in the wake of Xcel Energy's announcement to more than double its renewable energy by 2030, including adding 2.4 GW of new solar capacity.
Mortenson will serve as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor, while SunShare will develop, finance and own the solar gardens. The latter will also sign up energy users for the program. Such customers may purchase a community solar garden subscription from SunShare and will then receive credits on their Xcel Energy bills during the contract term.
The renewable electricity generated will be available to Xcel Energy residential, municipal and commercial subscribers as part of its community solar program throughout Hennepin, Dakota, Wright, Ramsey, Carver, Scott, Anoka and Washington counties in Minnesota.
In 2013, the Minnesota State Legislature established a community solar law that allows electric customers who either cannot or do not want to put solar panels on their homes or businesses to buy electricity generated from a solar array located elsewhere in the community.
‘Minnesota's community solar program dramatically expands the ability for companies, governmental entities and residents to utilize solar,’ says Trent Mostaert, vice president and general manager at Mortenson.
