Minnesota-based Outland Renewable Energy, LLC (Outland) announced today that a $2 million grant from the Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund (RDF) has been recommended to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The grant would support the construction of a two-megawatt solar power plant in Cottonwood County in southwestern Minnesota co-located with Outland's development of a 50-megawatt wind-energy production facility.

An advisory board with representation from Xcel Energy, environmental groups, Xcel Energy customers, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and the Prairie Island Indian Community chose Outland as one of its twenty-two recipients from nearly one hundred renewable energy proposals for RDF funding. All selected projects are subject to final approval by the Minnesota PUC. Outland will sell the energy generated from the project to Xcel Energy.

The solar farm will be a ground mounted two-megawatt thin-film solar array on single-axis trackers. When completed it will be the largest solar farm in the Upper Midwest and generate enough electricity to power 357 Minnesota homes. The solar farm will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by preventing an estimated 4,061,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from polluting the air annually.

This grant will allow Outland to complement its wind-energy farms with the additional benefits of renewable solar power.   Outland provides a full range of wind development services, taking projects from concept to commercial operation as well as co-developing projects in partnership with others. Outland's goal is to seek long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with all partners.

Close Window