Minnesota Utility Takes Baby Steps Toward Broadening Community Solar Access

Date: 22 Aug 2017 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Minnesota’s largest utility is planning a pilot community solar program specifically targeted to low-income customers, an important first step in bridging significant gaps in accessing the benefits of the state’s burgeoning clean energy economy. Xcel Energy filed a program outline with Minnesota regulators last month, which drew general support from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and … Read More

Why (Else) is Xcel Energy Trying to Axe Minnesota’s Community Solar program?

Date: 29 Apr 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In a filing Tuesday (April 28), Minnesota’s largest electric utility announced unilateral action within the next 30 days to reduce development under the state’s community solar gardens program by 80%, from nearly 560 MW to 80. It’s the latest in a series of attempts to slow the program, including efforts to cap the program and impose … Read More

Community Solar Gardens Sprouting in Minnesota

Date: 22 Apr 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 3 Facebooktwitterredditmail

On April 7, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission resoundingly rejected (click the link for an annotated ruling) a severely lacking community solar gardens proposal from Xcel Energy and required substantial improvements for the utility’s revised filing. The regulatory smack-down means a promising community solar market for Minnesota (scroll down for the infographic version).     The … Read More