Leading community solar developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) announced it has signed a deal to provide renewable energy to Dairyland Power Cooperative, a wholesale electricity generation and transmission provider serving parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. As part of the arrangement, CEC will develop a 517-kW solar PV array in Westby, Wis., and the clean power will be part of Dairyland Power’s generation portfolio.
The partnership supports Dairyland Power’s commitment to grow its renewable resources, which currently provide about 12.5% of the energy delivered to its members. The new 1,694-panel facility will begin delivering power this summer.
“CEC is honored to work closely with such a prominent generation & transmission partner,” said CEC President Paul Spencer. “As a national leader in community solar development, we are excited to help Dairyland Power meet their strategic goals and long-term resource plans.”
Electric utilities across the country are actively expanding their energy portfolios to include a variety of renewable sources – and locally-sited, utility-scale solar is playing an increasing role in this mix. This array provides an excellent source of clean energy for Dairyland Power and its associated distribution cooperatives.
CEC introduced the first community-owned solar garden in the country in 2010 near El Jebel, Colorado. Since that time, CEC has built or has under development 40 solar projects with 18 utility partners across seven states, representing 26 MW of community solar capacity.
Clean Energy Collective
www.easycleanenergy.com
Dairyland Power Cooperative
www.dairynet.com