Minnesota Power is joining forces with the Minnesota National Guard to build a major solar energy project at the state’s largest military base, Camp Ripley. If approved, the project will be the largest solar energy installation on military property in the state.
A recently signed memorandum of understanding between the two outlines plans to build a 10 MW utility-scale solar array at the central Minnesota camp, which would cover nearly 100 acres of underutilized government property with photovoltaic panels on racks. The National Guard and Minnesota Power will work together to identify and complete programs that will help Camp Ripley meet its energy savings goal of 30 percent over 2003. In fact, they have already identified more than 50 energy conservation measures.
“To provide cleaner energy forms is the mission, and both Minnesota Power and our National Guard are on the front lines,” said Al Hodnik, chairman, president and CEO of Minnesota Power parent company Allete. “This project helps meet our goal of achieving the state’s solar mandate and it advances our company’s EnergyForward goal of providing a balanced mix of one-third renewable, one-third coal and one-third natural gas energy sources reliably and affordably.”
The solar farm and backup generation will be designed and constructed to allow Camp Ripley to use the energy produced by the project during infrequent periods when the electric grid is down, providing enhanced energy security for the military site. At 10 megawatts, it will produce more electricity than the base normally requires. During non-emergency operation the solar energy produced would flow into Minnesota Power’s electric service territory.
When the $25 million Camp Ripley project is complete, sometime during the 2015-2016 timeframe, Minnesota Power will have achieved approximately one-third of the state’s solar energy standard enacted in 2013 by the Minnesota Legislature to procure 1.5 percent of non-exempt energy from solar resources in a manner consistent with Minnesota Power’s integrated resource planning while providing competitive electric rates to customers.
The National Guard will be well on its way to meeting energy conservation objectives outlined by the Department of Defense while Camp Ripley will achieve an energy security priority by gaining the ability to function completely independent of the electric grid in emergency situations.
Source: Fierceenergy.com
