In two states that start with “M,” community solar is growing.
In Minnesota, Xcel Energy added 32 MW of community solar across seven solar gardens. They are part of a larger project that will equal 96 MW and give Xcel Energy customers more access to solar.
According to patch.com, Geronimo Energy developed seven gardens below, which are now owned and operated by BHE Renewables:
- 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
- Northfield Community Solar Gardens, LLC – 5 MW 2300 North Ave, Northfield, MN 55057
- 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
In the east, Maryland just approved a three-year community solar pilot program with a target of nearly 200 MW over that timespan. According to a press release from the Maryland Public Service Commission, under the proposed regulations, the three-year community solar pilot program will:
- Provide access to solar-generated electricity—in a manner similar to rooftop
solar and net metering—for all Maryland customers without requiring property
ownership; - Incentivize solar companies to provide service to low- and moderate-income
customers; - Attract new investment in Maryland’s renewable infrastructure and green
economy; - Allow renters to contract for solar energy with the same benefits as rooftop
owners; - Set aside program capacity for each area of the state with a statewide cap of
218MW; - Create separate program capacity for small systems and systems built on
brownfields, parking lots, or industrial areas; - Allow smaller and rural service territories to make use of existing solar facilities
while encouraging construction of new systems in the urban and suburban areas
of Maryland; - Include significant consumer protections, including prohibition against
unreasonable fees and clear contract disclosure requirements; and - Allow the Commission Staff to collect data necessary data and study the impact
on Maryland’s electricity grid over the three-year pilot program.
Read more about the basics of community solar