Powering with Solar
Over the past decade, MRES has taken strides in renewable energy development within its membership area.
Brookings Solar Project
MRES was recently granted a conditional use permit for the construction of the Brookings Solar Project. The permit allows MRES to move forward with plans to build a 5-megawatt (MW) solar facility near the member community of Brookings, South Dakota. The project will generate enough energy to power approximately 1,100 homes annually.
The project is being financed through the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, which finances the construction and acquisition of the generation and transmission facilities MRES uses to serve all 61 of its members.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 6, 2024, and construction began soon after. The project’s anticipated completion date is late 2025.
Marshall Solar Plus
Testing is now underway on Marshall Solar Plus (MSP), a new 10-MW solar farm in the member community of Marshall, Minnesota. The project includes a 5-MW, four-hour battery storage facility that will provide added reliability and help move electrical production to when it is needed most. The project is owned by Marshall Solar Plus LLC, a subsidiary of WMMPA, and operated by MRES.
MSP will produce about 23,030 MWh of electricity annually, or enough to serve over 2,000 homes. The project includes over 21,000 solar panels on approximately 55 acres of land owned by WMMPA along North 7th Street near the Archer Daniels Midland Company and the 7th Street substation owned by Marshall Municipal Utilities.
When complete, the project will be interconnected to Marshall’s distribution system, and the energy provided by MSP will be included as another clean, renewable resource in the wholesale power supply mix that MRES provides to its members.
Pierre Solar Project
The Pierre Solar Project is a 1-MW solar photovoltaic facility at the Pierre, South Dakota, Regional Airport. MRES purchases the entire output of the facility, and it's the largest solar development in South Dakota.
Thinking about solar?
MRES has created a guide that includes seven crucial tips for installing solar energy on a home. From understanding the basics and maximizing energy efficiency to grasping the financial implications, these insights will equip homeowners with the basic knowledge they'll need for a smooth and successful transition to solar power.
If you're a homeowner interested in the possibilities of solar, contact your local utility and page through our helpful guide using the link below.